Miami Heat vs. Charlotte Hornets Odds, Picks & Predictions
The NBA regular season is in the rearview mirror as the 10th-seeded Miami Heat face the ninth-seeded Charlotte Hornets Tuesday night and we have you covered with our Heat vs. Hornets prediction. Miami clubbed Atlanta 143-117 at home Sunday in their regular season finale, covering the line as a 10.5-point favorite. Charlotte downed the Knicks 110-96 on the road to close the regular season Sunday, failing to cover the line as a 14.5-point favorite.
In the all-time regular season series between the teams, the Heat own an 83-50 advantage. Miami took three of four meetings this season, though the Hornets picked up a 136-106 home win in the most recent matchup March 17. The winner moves on to face the loser of the Orlando/Philadelphia matchup for a shot at the 8 seed. Meanwhile, the loser sees their season end here. Let’s break down this Heat vs. Hornets matchup.
Miami Seeking to Extend Season
Miami won their final two games in the regular season as they dumped Washington and Atlanta to close the year on a positive note. The Heat ended the regular season 43-39 and were fourth in the Southeast Division, three games behind the Hawks for the top spot.
The Heat finished the regular season 2nd in the league in scoring offense with 120.9 points per game this season. Miami is 4th in the league in rebounding with 46.3 boards a contest. The team was 5th in assists by dishing out 29 dimes a night. The Heat stood 22nd in the league in scoring defense as they allowed 118.5 points per game. Norman Powell leads the Heat with 21.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Tyler Herro (20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds) and Bam Adebayo (20.1 points, 10 boards) provide added scoring punch.
Miami is 15th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 46.8% from the floor this season. The Heat stands 15th in threes per game by draining 13.7 triples per contest and the team is 11th in three-point shooting by hitting 36.1% from beyond the arc. Miami is above average at the free throw line, ranking 11th in the league by converting 79.2% of their chances this season.
Key Injury Report for Heat:
- Forward Simone Fontecchio (ankle) is questionable.
- Guard Pelle Larsson (leg) is questionable.
Hornets Try to Continue Late Season Push
Charlotte snapped a two-game slide as they beat the Knicks in their regular season finale Sunday. The Hornets finished the regular season with a 44-38 mark on the year and stood third in the Southeast Division, two games behind the Hawks for the top spot.
On the season, the Hornets are 13th in the league in scoring offense with 116 points per game. Charlotte is 5th in the league in rebounding as they collect 46.1 boards per contest. The Hornets are 15th in assists with 26.3 dimes per contest. The Hornets are 7th in the league in scoring defense as they allow an average of 111.2 points per game. LaMelo Ball (20.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, 7.1 assists) is one of the team’s top scoring threats. Brandon Miller (20.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists) and Kon Knueppel (18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds) are solid contributors on the offensive end of the floor.
Charlotte is 25th in the league in field goal percentage as they shoot 46% from the field as a team. The Hornets lead the league in threes per game with 16.4 per contest. Charlotte stands 3rd in three-point field goal percentage by shooting 37.8% from beyond the arc. Charlotte is above average in free throw shooting, ranking 2nd by converting 81.8% of their attempts.
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5+ Get $100 in Bonus Bets Instantly! Key Injury Report for Hornets:
- Forward PJ Hall (ankle) is out.
Heat vs. Hornets Prediction
Miami has flopped on the defensive end of the floor, especially down the stretch of the regular season. The Heat gave up at least 120 points in 13 of their final 19 games in the regular season. That is a major issue for Miami from here on out. The Heat finished the regular season 22nd defensively by allowing 14 triples a night. They were 17th in three-point defense as opposing teams shot 35.7% from beyond the arc. Charlotte whipped Miami in the most recent meeting by 30 points and they are healthy. Miami has the postseason experience edge but it’s hard to overlook those defensive metrics. Look for Charlotte to advance with a win here, ending the Heat’s season.
Our Prediction: Hornets -5.5 (DraftKings, -110)
Heat vs. Hornets Same Game Parlay
- Bam Adebayo, Heat To Record a Double-Double (+145, BetMGM)
- Kon Knueppel, Hornets Under 3.5 Three-Pointers (-158, DraftKings)
- LaMelo Ball, Hornets Over 7.5 Assists (-120, FanDuel)
Odds: +633
Adebayo has posted a double-double in eight of his last 10 games entering this contest. He should be able to do the job against a Charlotte team that doesn’t have a major presence in the low block. Knueppel, for all his success this season, has tapered off down the stretch. He hasn’t scored more than 14 points in his last four games. In addition, he has more than four three-pointers just twice in his last 10 games. Ball has dished at least eight assists in five of his last seven games. In the other two contests in that stretch, he handed out six. Ball should find some open shooters and ring up the dimes here.
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