Heat at Hornets
The Miami Heat opened their first homestand with a loss to the Charlotte Hornets and they hope to avoid the same fate when they begin a three-game road trip at Charlotte on Tuesday. The Hornets topped the Heat 113-112 in Miami earlier this month behind 39 points from Kemba Walker.
The Heat recovered to win their next two games but fell flat in the finale of the homestand by dropping a 123-113 loss to Sacramento on Monday. Josh Richardson, Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside combined to score 67 points for Miami but their teammates went a collective 14-for-46 from the floor. Charlotte has dropped three of four since its win over the Heat, including a 105-103 setback at Philadelphia on Saturday. Walker went for 37 points in the setback for his fourth game of 30 or more.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Sun (Miami), FS Southeast (Charlotte)
ABOUT THE HEAT (3-3): Whiteside recorded 24 rebounds -- one shy of his career high -- and blocked five shots in Monday's loss, giving him 40 boards and 11 blocks over the last two games. He also had six of Miami's season-high 19 turnovers, which led to 27 points for the Kings. "Those empty possessions lead to run outs," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told the media. "Any kind of momentum it seemed we would get led to a turnover."
ABOUT THE HORNETS (3-4): Forward Miles Bridges has found an increased role in the last two games and is making the most of his opportunity by averaging 14.5 points on 12-of-19 shooting. Fellow rookie Devonte Graham scored the first seven points of his career in 13 minutes off the bench against Philadelphia. "[The rookies] are working every day. They're developing every day," coach James Borrego told reporters. "They're ready for the moment. Devonte's performance tonight didn't surprise me. It was a great experience for him. I think he handled himself very well. Miles again, he's learning, he's growing. Those minutes down the stretch are only going to build him and grow him."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Walker hit 7-of-15 3-pointers in the win at Miami.
2. Richardson was held to seven points on 3-of-11 shooting in the earlier loss to the Hornets.
3. The Heat have won three straight games at Charlotte.