The Heat’s heart and ability to never give up paid off again. Even with their backs to the wall at -14 with 9 minutes remaining, Erik Spoelstra’s troops did not give up and were rewarded with a sixth victory in their last seven games. Conversely, Charlotte, who has alternated between excellence and mediocre, continues to plunge in the rankings with this new and most frustrating setback.
The Heat found rhythm and address fairly quickly in the game, getting started following two 3-point baskets from Kyle Lowry then Duncan Robinson combined with the activity of Omer Yurtseven (14-27) . The Hornets quickly corrected the situation with the dunks of Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball to complete the first act (30-35) and the extraordinary hot shot of Kelly Oubre Jr, author of three 3-point baskets which reversed the balance of power between the two teams (43-39).
On her way, Charlotte finished the first half in a cannoNBAll, between the 2 + 1 of LaMelo Ball, the dunk of Montrezl Harrell and the five new points of Kelly Oubre Jr (54-47).
Neither team took the lead in a choppy third quarter, in which Charlotte failed to widen the gap and Miami failed to come back level with their opponent in the evening (71-64). The locals took a first option on victory at the start of the fourth quarter thanks to Montrezl Harrell’s three baskets in a row including a 2 + 1 and a shot from mid-range which blew up the Spectrum Center with joy (78- 64).
Except that Miami did not abdicate and that Duncan Robinson’s three 3-point baskets (including a 3+1) but also the paying work of Bam Adebayo near the circle put the two teams tied (87-87) . Jimmy Butler even had the winning basket in front of Miles Bridges, but his shot did not find the target, sending the two teams into overtime (87-87).
In the midst of a trench war, Kyle Lowry found a way to plant two 3-pointers and a lay-up, but PJ Washington and Montrezl Harrell nearly had the last laugh, the ex-Wizards player missing a crucial free throw 1.7 seconds from the end, forcing another extension! (97-97)
This time, Miami did not miss its shot, relying on Duncan Robinson open to 3-pointers and Jimmy Butler, author of two clutch baskets to snatch the victory, 111 to 107.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The foolproof mind of the Lowry-Robinson-Butler trio. The return of the Floridians was played in three acts, embodied by these three players, with the shots of Duncan Robinson to force an extension, those of Kyle Lowry to come close to victory during the first “overtime” and this final marked by two new 3-point missiles, signed Duncan Robinson and Jimmy Butler. The latter thus caught up after missing the winning shot at the end of the fourth quarter.
– Ball lost. LaMelo Ball scored his fifth triple-double of the season, confirming his precocity in the matter. Problem, it is already the third time that the defeat is at the end for Charlotte, after Houston (after extension already) and the Lakers. On closer inspection, his performance in three dimensions this night is discredited by his errors in shooting, since the point guard has his share of responsibility in these failures with his 5/15 in shooting, including 1/9 from 3-pointers, with attempts that only found the hoop at key moments in the game.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Duncan Robinson. The X factor of this match, the one that allowed Miami to continue to believe in the second part of the last quarter. Rather irregular this season, the back shooter took his shots last night (6/13 from 3-pointers, 21 points) and also distinguished himself with his five assists, his record this season. His 3-point basket opened in the corner was the first turning point of the second overtime. He is now at 702 career 3-pointers.
✅ ⛔ Montrezl Harrell He could have been the hero of the evening as his contribution was invaluable off the bench and by the way he started the fourth quarter with his three consecutive baskets. It took a missed free throw at the end of the first overtime, and the former Wizards player finally fell by the wayside, like the rest of his team. This failed throw does not, however, call into question his contribution (24 points at 9/16 shooting, 8 rebounds).
✅ ⛔ Jimmy Butler. The leader of the Heat had a complicated match, to say the least, since his last missed shot at the buzzer in the fourth quarter was added to his many missed attacks. But “Jimmy Buckets” has thick leather and did not let himself be destabilized, even at 3/22 shooting. This is how he managed a first shot at half distance then a saving 3-point basket to end the suspense in the second overtime to finish at 15 points (at 5/24), 10 rebounds and 8 assists decisive.
⛔terry rozier. Like these Hornets, capable of the best and the worst. How can a player who has chained three more than solid performances deliver such a ghostly match as he did last night? His 36 minutes were a pain for him and his team since he hardly contributed, finishing at 5 points (2/9 shooting), 2 rebounds and 3 assists.
THE FOLLOWING
Charlotte (29-31): return to play next Friday for the Hornets with the reception of the Raptors on the program.
Miami (38-21): the Heat will resume competition on the Knicks’ floor next Friday.
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