The last time the Charlotte Hornets won a playoff game, current team owner Michael Jordan was still playing in the NBA. In other words, it’s been a while. This year’s club has not only the talent to get a win, but possibly the first series victory since 2002.
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Charlotte Hornets +4.5
Miami Heat -4.5
Over/Under 201.5
LOOK AHEAD
Charlotte and Miami had identical regular season records of 48-34 and split the four-game season series with each team winning on the other’s court once. Two other teams – Atlanta and Boston – also finished with the same record. Through the tie-break scenarios, Miami earned the No. 3 seed and Charlotte got the sixth spot, but in reality, the series is even in terms of talent, making for what could be the most competitive and intriguing first round matchup.
The Hornets enter the postseason on a bit of roll ending the regular season with a 21-8 record since the All-Star break. Only the record-setting Warriors and 67-win Spurs won more than the Hornets over the final two months of the season. And aside from the Warriors, Charlotte was also the only other team to beat the Heat at home after the break, handing Miami a 109-106 setback on Mar. 17.
INJURIES
Hornets forward Nicolas Batum missed the final regular season game with an ankle injury and won’t be healthy when the series begins. Charlotte caught a break by opening the series on Sunday, giving him an extra day of rest. Batum said there’s no way he will miss Game 1. How effective he will be is another question.
Udonis Haslem left Tuesday night’s game with a foot injury and missed the Heat’s final regular season game the next night. His status is uncertain for Sunday’s series opener.
KEY MATCHUP
Charlotte is back in the playoffs and Kemba Walker is a big reason why. The fifth-year point guard has improved dramatically in nearly every statistical category this season, and so have the Hornets. The correlation in their success is undeniable. Walker upped his scoring average to 20.9 points per game this season, 15th-best in the NBA. Walker scored 52 points in a win over the Jazz in January and registered 13 30-point games during the regular season. He’s scored 20 or more points in 40 games, doubling last year’s total. Walker said he’s finally found the consistency he lacked during his first four NBA seasons. Walker scored 21 points hitting 4 of 9 three-pointers when the Hornets won in Miami on Mar. 17 and averaged 19.5 points against the Heat in four regular season meetings. His increased accuracy from distance has opened up lanes to the hoop and Walker takes advantage by knocking down nearly 85 percent of his free throws.
QUICK PICK
Charlotte made up a lot of ground over the final two months of the regular season by going 21-8 to tie Miami and Atlanta at the top of the Southeast Division standings. The tie-breaker relegated the Hornets to the sixth seed while the Heat were tabbed the division winner and received the third-seed and homecourt advantage. The teams were so evenly matched we could flip a coin to determine a winner. Charlotte hasn’t won a playoff game since 2002 and a few players, namely Walker and Al Jefferson, were around two years ago when the Bobcats were swept by the Heat. As good as the Hornets have been since the All-Star break, six of their eight losses since then have come on the road and they struggled to get 18 away wins all season. For that we have to give Miami the edge in Game 1.
NBA Odds: Miami 108, Charlotte 105
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Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The matchup between the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat will tipoff Sunday, April 17, 2016, at 5:30 p.m. ET at American Airlines Arena. The contest will be broadcast nationally on TNT.
