CHARLOTTE, NC (AFP) – Jimmy Butler scored 27 points, Pam Adebayo added 20 points and 12 rebounds, and the Miami Heat used third-quarter dominance to give the struggling Charlotte Hornets their fourth straight loss, 104-86 Saturday night.
Tyler Hero scored 19 points behind five three-pointers for Miami (34-20), which scored 27 points from 20 turns by Charlotte while keeping the Hornets at 38.4% of the shot from the ground, the Associated Press reported.
The Hornets led 51-46 at halftime before things fell apart.
Miami, who only fired 2 of 16 from outside the arc in the first inning, edged out Charlotte 35-8 in the third quarter to take the reins as turnovers led to easy transfer buckets. These were the Hornets’ lowest points in a quarter since March 21, 2016.
Adebayo scored 10 points in the third quarter and dominated inside the paint.
“We have a group of players on this team who know how to score in groups,” said Hero.
The Hornets were frustrated before the start of the fourth quarter when coach James Borrego said something to guard James Bucknight, who was sitting on the bench after playing the last 14 seconds of the third quarter.
Bucknight seemed to shrug at what was said, and stood up to face Borrego before pulling at his teammate at the back of his shirt to block him. An assistant coach quickly intervened and escorted the team’s first-round selection team to the locker room without further incident.
Bucknight did not return to the bench, and the Hornets did not allow him to speak to reporters after the game.
“Obviously we all got frustrated, in the third quarter, early in the fourth, and it got a little emotional there,” Borrego said. “Beyond that, I’ll leave it there.”
Bucknight came into the night after playing in just 24 of the team’s 53 games, averaging 10.4 minutes and 5 points per game.
When asked if Bucknight is frustrated with the lack of playing time, Borrego replied: “He is in a difficult situation and obviously wants to play. I understand that. I understand that. He is a kid we believe in and trust. We will devote more minutes to him.”
Terry Roser scored 16 points and Miles Bridges 15 for Charlotte (28-26), who slipped to 1-9 on the second night of two straights.
The Heat, who have tied 2-2 so far in a six-game wild ride, took a break as coach Eric Spoelstra was able to rest their veteran players throughout the entire final quarter of the game.
While Spoelstra said the team’s defense in the third quarter was key, he was happy to see the ball move into attack and find the open player.
Miami fired 50% from the field in the second half.
“Men didn’t necessarily care who was shooting as long as the guy was open,” Spoelstra said. “They were working together to move the bodies and the ball to find this open man. This was inspiring to see.”
ball night
Lamelo Ball played only six minutes in the second half and finished with 12 points and six rebounds. The Player of the Year made several unwise shots, including hitting two three-pointers after crossing half the field instead of passing the ball.
“I think he’s trying to play the right way,” Borrego said. “Obviously there’s some shot selection and (game) management working in progress for him. But we just have to stick with it. He’s trying to figure that out, like me, and we’ll do that together.”
Hayward struggle
The Hornets aren’t getting much from veteran young striker Gordon Hayward since returning to the squad after missing six games in league health and safety protocols. Hayward was 0 for 7 from the field against the Heat and is only 3 out of 20 in the two games since his comeback.
Borrego doesn’t seem too worried.
“He needs to get his legs back under him and we want him to keep shooting at him,” Borrego said.
Hint INS
Heat: Caleb Martin is back against his former team — and brother Cody — after missing a game with an Achilles tendon injury. Received a hug from Borrego at the scorers’ table before entering the match.
Hornets: Bridges has made only two of his last 22 3-point field goal attempts.
next one
Heat: In Washington on Monday night.
Hornets: Hosted a Toronto Monday night.