And just like that Buzz City is alive and kicking. The Charlotte Hornets didn’t let a pair of blowout losses in the first two games of this opening-round series against the Miami Heat dishearten them. In fact, it seemed to have made them better, as the Hornets successfully dispatched their conference rival in Game 3. But will that be the same case in tonight’s Game 4? Or will the Heat respond in a big way?
Read on below for a detailed breakdown of this showdown. And if you’re craving for more NBA Playoffs action, check out our preview of another first-round series match between the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Miami Heat vs. Charlotte Hornets Game 4 Preview
Where: Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, North Carolina
When: Monday, April 25, 2016, 07:00 PM ET
Line: Miami Heat (+3) vs. Charlotte Hornets (-3); total: 195.0– view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: NBATV
Betting on the Miami Heat
Well, it’s safe to say that the Heat should be able to make the necessary adjustments and provide a stronger effort tonight. That said, look to none other than Dwyane Wade to bounce back and get things started on offense for his team.
Wade, who went just 7-of-20 for 17 points in the previous game, knows how to deliver the goods during this exhilarating point of the year. The three-time NBA champion is averaging 22.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists across 155 career playoff games. Wade is also putting up around 20 points in this series.
Also, Miami will hope that Whiteside and Deng can continue producing solid numbers for them. The two are posting 17.0 and 22.0 points, respectively, in the last three games. But Whiteside, in particular, remains to be the most important part of the Heat’s defense. The league’s No. 1 shot-blocker is tallying 3.0 blocks along with 14.0 rebounds so far in the postseason.
Miami is 2-8 ATS in its previous 10 road games.
Betting on the Charlotte Hornets
The key for the Charlotte Hornets in this game would be to remain sharp and continue attacking the basket with confidence. The Hornets did just that in their victory in Game 3, during which they outscored the Miami Heat, 52-28, in the paint.
Playing a big part to that success down low was the pair of Jeremy Lin and Frank Kaminsky, who both put on their best performance of the series.
Lin didn’t let the presence of Hassan Whiteside get the better of him. He was very wise in regards to his shot selections, which were mostly inside the shaded lane, and ultimately provided the Hornets a major lift off the bench. Lin led scored a team-high of 18 points along with four boards and four assists.
Kaminsky, meanwhile, was finally put to good use by head coach Steve Clifford. Kaminsky got his first career playoff start, and immediately seized the opportunity. He finished with 15 points, including nine in the third period, and six rebounds.
Of course, Kemba Walker was also able to make his mark in Saturday night’s win. He racked up 17 points, and did well to find some opportunities for his teammates with seven assists. Walker, however, is only shooting 36.0 percent in the last three games.
Lastly, the Hornets defense, which forced Miami to shoot below 35 percent from the field in Game 3, will need to stay solid once more. And if it does, the Hornets should be able to head back to South Beach—for Game 5—with a tied series on their hands.
Charlotte is 5-5 ATS in its past 10 games at home.
Writer’s Prediction
Charlotte (-3) wins again, 100-95.
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