The Charlotte Hornets pulled even with Miami and Boston for the right to host a playoff series with a win on the road against the Heat.
The Charlotte Hornets won a big onelast night 109-106. They were taking on the Miami Heat in their home. It was the Miami Heat minus new fatherChris Bosh, but it was still the Miami Heat. There wasGoran DragicandDwyane Wade. Down low was the solidHassan Whiteside.Justise Winslowof Duke off the bench to spellLuol Dengof Duke. NewcomerJoe Johnsonrunning at the small forward.
The stakes were high as well. The Hornets were a half game away from multiple teams, including the Heat, in the playoff chase. There was also the desire to keep the momentum of the home stand from dissipating.
None of those things looked possible in the middle of the game. The Heat opened up a fifteen point led in the second quarter. The nice thing about fifteen point leads in the second quarter is that there is plenty of times to come back from them. This the Hornets proceeded to do.
At the half, the Hornets had closed the margin before building their own lead in the second half. They got that number as high as nine before nursing that lead to victory.
It was not without cost asCody Zellerwent down during the game. That gave more minutes toAl Jeffersonand the big did not waste them. Matched against Amare Stoudemire, Jefferson maneuvered his way to twenty-one points and ten rebounds. Those were similar to his season numbers two years ago.
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Kemba Walkerjoined him at that point total, but the point guard was also sharing the ball. He had seven assists, matching the total of normal distributorNicolas Batum. Batum had another solid game with nineteen points. Walker also outrebounded Batum, seven to five.
This was a game that relied on the starting five for production (+ Jefferson – Zeller). None of the bench players who played scored more than six. The Heat enjoyed having Whiteside (17 points) andJason Richardson(18 points) come off their bench.
With the missed three pointer at the game’s end by Wade, the Hornets forced a three way tie between the Hornets, Heat, and Boston Celtics in the standings. The Hawks moved up to the three line. Tiebreakers mean that the Hornets are still in the six spot, but they are right there with the other two teams. Keeping the winning going could see the Hornets gain that home playoff series they crave and perhaps need.
The Hornets (39-29) will get to try to keep things going with the Denver Nuggets coming to visit on Saturday. The Nuggets are coming off a loss to the Hawks.
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