Live Updates: Heat vs. Hornets Ignite Postseason Play
The 2026 SoFi Play-In Tournament opened on April 14 with a doubleheader on Prime. Miami hosted Charlotte in the early game at 7:30 ET, followed by Portland versus Phoenix at 10 ET.
Halftime snapshot
Miami led 54-52 at the break. Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell scored 10 points each for the Heat. LaMelo Ball paced the Hornets with 17 points.
Bam Adebayo left the game with a lower back issue and was listed as questionable to return. Miami held Charlotte to 38.8% shooting while converting 46% of its own attempts.
Key moments and flow
Charlotte held a 37-36 edge with 7:43 remaining in the second quarter. Miami had a small advantage in points in the paint, 22-16.
Earlier, the Hornets led 22-18 late in the first quarter. LaMelo scored nine points in the early stretch. Norman Powell hit a circus-style bucket during the first half.
Rivalry and regular-season history
The teams met four times in the regular season. Miami won three of those matchups, giving them a familiarity edge.
Charlotte is chasing its first playoff appearance in a decade. The Hornets entered the night eager to reach the postseason for the first time in 10 years.
Team profiles and metrics
Memos of each club show contrasting styles. Miami plays at the league’s fastest pace and scores a lot. Charlotte operates much slower but has been efficient since January.
| Team | ORTG | DRTG | Net | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Heat | 116.7 (13th) | 114.5 (13th) | +2.2 (13th) | 103.4 (fastest) |
| Charlotte Hornets | 119.4 (5th) | 114.4 (12th) | +5.0 (8th) | 96.8 (26th) |
Since Jan. 1, Charlotte posted the NBA’s best net rating (+10.7) and offensive rating (121.9). The Hornets gained depth from Grant Williams and Coby White. Moussa Diabaté and Ryan Kalkbrenner strengthened their center rotation.
Later game and coverage
Portland hosted Phoenix in the nightcap, with Deni Avdija listed among the Blazers’ notable names. Both games streamed on Prime.
Filmogaz.com directed readers to live updates for the Heat vs. Hornets matchup. Our coverage tracked how each squad aimed to ignite postseason play as the tournament began.
Previews and analysis
- Matchups and individual defensive assignments were key talking points before tipoff.
- NBA.com’s Shaun Powell offered pregame breakdowns for both contests.
- Coaching adjustments and turnover management were expected to decide outcomes.
