Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) handles the ball against Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Jim Dedmon)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jimmy Butler scored 13 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, Tyler Herro added five 3-pointers and 22 points and the Miami Heat spoiled the Charlotte Hornets’ home opener with a 114-106 victory Saturday night.
Terry Rozier had 19 points and Bam Adebayo finished the game with 12 points and 11 rebounds for Miami (1-1). Butler added eight assists and eight rebounds.
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LaMelo Ball had 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Hornets in an emotional evening as they honored their late longtime announcer Pat Doughty and showed livestream feeds on the arena scoreboard at a star-studded benefit concert for Hurricane Helene victims less than a mile away at Bank of America Stadium. One of the concert’s performers was musician Eric Church, a minority owner of the Hornets.
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A picture-perfect appearance from Jimmy Butler tonight 🎥 pic.twitter.com/P5BVAzFfCK
– Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 27, 2024
The Hornets (1-2) appeared out of sync with 20 turnovers and were whistled twice for 5-second whistles after failing to put the ball in the goal on lateral inbound plays.
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Takeaways
Heat: After struggling in the season opener, the Heat began to put things in order down the stretch, thwarting three different Hornets turnovers, with Butler, Herro and Duncan Robinson all hitting big threes.
Hornets: Three games into the season and Charlotte’s strength is already being tested with three starters – Brandon Miller, Mark Williams and Josh Green – all out due to injuries.
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Key moment
After Tre Mann’s pull-up jumper cut Miami’s double-digit lead to three with 1:36 left in the fourth quarter, Herro drained a three-pointer from the top of the key. The loss of possession led to two free throws for Butler. Rozier then added another 3 to seal the victory.
Key statistics
The Heat had 33 assists on their 40 baskets.
Next
The Heat host Detroit on Monday night while the Hornets host Toronto on Wednesday night.
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