Game Preview: Heat at Hornets (In-Season Tournament)
Injury Report
Hornets: OUT: Terry Rozier (Groin), Cody Martin (Knee), James Bouknight (Knee) QUESTIONABLE: Brandon Miller (Ankle), Gordon Hayward (Hamstring)
Heat: OUT: Caleb Martin (Knee), Tyler Herro (Ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: Josh Richardson (Back)
Game Preview
The Hornets (3-6) are at home to take on the Heat (6-4). This doubles as a divisional matchup and an In-Season Tournament game in Group B were Charlotte and Miami both sit at 1-0. This will be the first game of the In-Season Tournament played in Charlotte.
The Hornets are ravaged with injuries and it's still unclear if rookie Brandon Miller will be suiting up on Tuesday night. Miller scored 11 points in the first quarter and a half of his Madison Square Garden debut and was on pace to have a stellar game in the Big Apple before a rolled ankle ended his night prematurely.
LaMelo Ball, averaging 30 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds last week, will look to continue his torrid stretch against a stingy Heat defense. Miami boasts a top ten defense in both defensive rating and points against. Charlotte will need some unsung heroes to pick up the scoring load with Terry Rozier still on the shelf.
Key Matchup: Mark Williams vs. Bam Adebayo
Adebayo has been playing at an All-NBA level, leading the Heat in both scoring and rebounding with 23.2 and 10.4 per game respectively. Williams has struggled with bigger, more physical interior defenders, and Adebayo fits that bill. What he lacks in height he makes up for in strength and aggression. Williams will have his hands full in the paint with Bam and a strong showing from the second-year center will be key to a Hornets victory.
| Hornets | Heat | |
|---|---|---|
Point Guard | LaMelo Ball | Josh Richardson |
Shooting Guard | Brandon Miller | Duncan Robinson |
Small Forward | Gordon Hayward | Jimmy Butler |
Power Forward | PJ Washington | Haywood Highsmith |
Center | Mark Williams | Bam Adebayo |
