The Miami Heat will visit the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center for Game 1 of the Play-In tournament. Both teams are looking to start the post-season strong and advance. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM and will be broadcast on Amaz.
The Heat, coached by Erik Spoelstra, finished the regular season with a record of 43-39. The Hornets, led by Charles Lee, posted a 44-38 record. Miami ranks 10th in the Eastern Conference, while Charlotte is 9th. Each team is looking to win and advance.
Miami Heat Team Preview
The Miami Heat have had recent success with strong performances. They secured a significant victory against the Atlanta Hawks with a score of 143-117. In that game, Bam Adebayo had 25 points and 10 rebounds.
In another recent game, the Heat won against the Washington Wizards 140-117. Jaime Jaquez Jr. was a key player with 23 points and 8 assists. The team showed great shooting accuracy in this game, making 59.8% of their field goals.
The Heat are second in the league for points per game, averaging 120.9. They lead the league in possessions per game, which helps their fast-paced play style. Their defense has room for improvement, as they allow 118.5 points per game, ranking 22nd.
Charlotte Hornets Team Preview
The Charlotte Hornets have had mixed results in their recent games. They secured a win against the New York Knicks with a score of 110-96. However, they faced defeats against the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, with scores of 118-100 and 113-102, respectively.
LaMelo Ball has been a key player for the Hornets this season. He scored 27 points against the Pistons and 36 points against the Celtics. Brandon Miller also contributed with solid performances, scoring 22 points against the Pistons.
In terms of team stats, the Hornets have shown strength in their three-point shooting. They lead the league in three-pointers made per game with 16.4. On defense, they allow the fewest rebounds per game at 39.3, showing their ability to limit opponents’ second chances.
Betting Prediction
The Miami Heat score a lot of points. They average 120.9 points per game. This ranks them second in the league.
The Charlotte Hornets allow fewer points. They give up 111.2 points per game. This ranks them seventh in the league.
The Heat also play a fast-paced game with 101.7 possessions per game. The Hornets, however, have a slower pace at 95.3 possessions. This could help keep the total points lower.
- Pick: Under 228.5
