Key Questions Loom as Hornets Face Heat in Play-In Tournament
The Charlotte Hornets clinched the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference. They earned a Play-In spot with a win over the New York Knicks. They meet the Miami Heat at the Spectrum Center on Tuesday night.
Health and recent form
Charlotte has not faced a fully healthy Miami team since October. In that early meeting, Miami won 144-117 while missing Norman Powell.
When Miami visited Charlotte on March 6, the Heat were missing Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, and Simone Fontecchio. In their rematch less than two weeks later, Miami lacked Bam Adebayo.
Miami goes into the Play-In 4-4 over its last eight games. Their net rating ranked 16th in the past two weeks.
Spoelstra’s toolbox
Erik Spoelstra is one of the best coaches for one-game playoff scenarios. The Heat often run a unique offensive style.
They push pace after made and missed shots and lean on downhill isolation. Defensively, Miami will deploy a junky zone look at times.
Spoelstra will likely mix in adjustments and curveballs during the win-or-go-home game.
Late-game lineup decisions
One clear question is who closes the game for Charlotte. Grant Williams started the final stretch in the lone close meeting.
Coach Charles Lee preferred Williams over Miles Bridges then. Lee cited Williams’ physicality against Bam Adebayo as a reason.
Williams has played 191 possessions as a small-ball center since returning. In those moments, Charlotte’s offense thrived with a 122.5 offensive rating.
That rating sits in the 93rd percentile among all five-man lineups. Defense suffered with a 124.9 defensive rating, in the 7th percentile.
Any late-game decision could involve replacing Moussa Diabate, not Bridges. A small-ball center look might match up if Miami goes with Bam alone.
These remain key questions as the Hornets face the Heat in a Play-In Tournament game. Filmogaz.com will provide updates and analysis throughout the week.
