Charlotte Hornets (35-34) beat Miami Heat (38-31) 136-106 at home on Tuesday, March 17. The final margin was 30 points.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Hornets had the better start, winning the first 26-24 to lead by 2 after one. The teams matched each other with 33 points apiece in the second quarter; the Hornets still led by 2 at halftime.
The Hornets won the third 37-31 to create some separation, taking a 8-point lead into the fourth. The Hornets took the fourth 40-18; the Hornets finished the job for a 136-106 regulation win.
Why it was lopsided
The Hornets got more from their shots, finishing at 62% effective field-goal shooting compared with 44.4% for the Heat. The Hornets took better care of the ball, turning it over on 12% of possessions compared with 14% for the Heat. That shooting gap supplied the clearest edge.
The Heat did win one battle, the free-throw line: FT rate of 30.3 against 17.7. The Hornets made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 108 possessions per team, the Hornets produced 126.4 points per 100 possessions to 98.5 for the Heat.
Who stood out
LaMelo Ball was the game's biggest individual force for CHA: 30 pts, 6 reb, 13 ast on 11-22 shooting. His Game Score of 25.1 led everyone. His team was +32 with him on the floor.
Tyler Herro led the Heat with 20 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast on 5-11 shooting, good for a 17.6 Game Score.
Miles Bridges (14 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast) and LaMelo Ball (30 pts, 6 reb, 13 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The result fit the pre-game Win Meter, which gave the Hornets about a 71% chance.
Across the last 7 meetings in our records, Miami Heat lead 6-1.
The Hornets are now 35-34, and the Heat are 38-31. The Hornets last five before this game: L-L-W-W-L.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.