Tyler Herro hit eight 3-pointers and scored 33 points as the visiting Miami Heat edged out the Charlotte Hornets 128-120 in a close game between two of the NBA’s hottest teams on Friday night.
Herro, who also contributed nine rebounds and nine assists, was 8-for-10 from beyond the arc to lead Miami’s perimeter attack, which included 18 baskets from 3-point range. The Hornets made 19 3s.
Bam Adebayo had 24 points and 12 rebounds as the Heat won their fourth game in a row. Jaime Jaquez Jr. racked up 21 points off the bench and Davion Mitchell supplied 13 points.
The Hornets’ six-game winning streak ended despite 27 points from Kon Knueppel, 22 from Brandon Miller and 21 from LaMelo Ball. Knueppel hit six 3s, and Ball made five. Coby White scored 13 points off the bench, while Grant Williams and Miles Bridges each added 12 points.
Neither team led by more than six points through the first three quarters in a game that produced similar statistics for both teams. But some ball-handling issues hurt the Hornets, who finished with 13 turnovers.
The Hornets led 108-106 before Adebayo’s tying basket and Herro’s go-ahead 3-pointer helped the Heat take a 115-108 lead. Herro hit another 3 for a 118-111 advantage.
Charlotte got within 124-120 with about a minute to play but couldn’t convert again.
Moussa Diabate grabbed 14 rebounds and Miller had 13 boards for the Hornets.
Charlotte entered the game with a six-game winning streak, each victory by 15 or more points, tying the second-longest streak in NBA history.
The Heat played without Andrew Wiggins, who was sidelined with a knee injury. Miami’s top scorer, Norman Powell, has now missed over a week due to a groin strain.
