Miami Heat (35-29) beat Charlotte Hornets (32-32) 128-120 on the road on Friday, March 6. The Hornets led after three quarters, but the Heat took control in the fourth.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Heat had the better start, winning the first 30-27 to lead by 3 after one. The Hornets moved in front with a 34-28 second quarter, carrying a 3-point lead into halftime.
The teams matched each other with 40 points apiece in the third quarter, so the Hornets remained ahead by 3 entering the fourth. The Heat took the fourth 30-19; the Heat completed the comeback for a 128-120 regulation win.
What decided it
The Heat took better care of the ball, turning it over on 5.8% of possessions compared with 11.5% for the Hornets. The Heat got more from their shots, finishing at 55.7% effective field-goal shooting compared with 52.6% for the Hornets. Those extra possessions were crucial.
At roughly 104 possessions per team, the Heat produced 123.2 points per 100 possessions to 115.5 for the Hornets.
Who made the difference
Tyler Herro was the game's biggest individual force for MIA: 33 pts, 9 reb, 9 ast on 11-20 shooting. His Game Score of 32.6 led everyone. His team was +19 with him on the floor.
Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 22 pts, 13 reb, 5 ast on 7-12 shooting, good for a 23.1 Game Score.
Brandon Miller (22 pts, 13 reb, 5 ast) and Bam Adebayo (24 pts, 12 reb, 4 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
By our Win Meter this was an upset: The Heat entered with about a 23% chance.
Across the last 6 meetings in our records, Miami Heat lead 5-1.
The Heat are now 35-29, and the Hornets are 32-32. The Heat last five before this game: L-L-W-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.