Heat vs Hornets Preview: Ball vs Butler – Can the Hornets End Their Losing Streak Against the Heat?

On October 9, the NBA preseason continues with a match between the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets.

Firstly, let’s look at the Heat’s situation. Last season, the Heat struggled in the second half of the regular season due to injuries to their two key players, Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro. The team ended up with a record of 46 wins and 36 losses, ranking eighth in the Eastern Conference. They managed to enter the playoffs through the play-in tournament but were eliminated in the first round by the Boston Celtics with a scoreline of 1-4.

In the off-season, the Heat did not make any major moves, mostly maintaining their roster’s integrity. Re-signing Bam Adebayo was a priority for the Heat, and they also retained Kyle Love, Hay Smith, and Bryant on lower salaries. These decisions were influenced by salary cap restrictions and the team’s internal financial space. In terms of new signings, the Heat brought in Burks from the free market to bolster their lineup. At the draft, the Heat selected Kyle Ware with the 15th pick, who performed well in the Summer League, averaging 18 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Additionally, they signed Nikola Duric and Pelle Larson, though Duric has since been traded to the Atlanta Hawks.

Other than re-signings and acquisitions, the Heat saw some departures including Jamal Cain, Caleb Martin, Patty Mills, and Orlando Robinson.

In summary, the Heat have maintained a stable squad, which is their best foundation for a playoff push. With Adebayo and Butler as the core, the Heat continue to balance their offensive and defensive capabilities. The rookie Ware is also promising.

On the other hand, the Hornets had a terrible season last year, failing to make the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year. They finished with a record of 21 wins and 61 losses, ranking third-to-last in the East. Their performance on both ends of the court was disastrous. The injury to Ball left the Hornets struggling, but the emergence of rookie Brandon Miller provided one of the few bright spots.

In the off-season, the Hornets re-signed Miles Bridges for $75 million over three years, and head coach Steve Clifford left the team, with Charles Lee taking over as the new head coach. Besides these changes, the Hornets also signed Taj Gibson from the free market and acquired Josh Green from the Mavericks. Similar to the Heat, the Hornets did not make significant moves this summer, retaining most of their key players from last season.

At the draft, the Hornets selected French forward Sala with the sixth overall pick, who showed promise in the Summer League. They also picked KJ Simpson with the 42nd pick.

Overall, the Hornets’ depth has improved compared to the past. Whether Miller and Mark Williams can further develop in the new season remains to be seen. Of course, for the Hornets to improve, it is crucial that their core players stay healthy.

In their previous game, the Hornets lost 109-111 to the Knicks, with five players scoring in double digits. Bridges scored 10 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished out 2 assists, while Ball led the team with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists. Sala contributed 11 points, and Miller added 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. The Hornets had a chance to win the game but failed to withstand the pressure in the final stages, losing by just 2 points.

Last season, the Heat swept the Hornets in all four meetings, showing a significant advantage. However, tomorrow’s game is the Heat’s first preseason game, and compared to the Hornets, who have already played and adapted better, the Heat’s player conditions are still uncertain. It is understood that Herro, Hakes, and Richardson may miss the game for the Heat. Similarly, for the Hornets, Mawei, Martin, Gwei, and Smith are also questionable. Can the Hornets seize this opportunity to stop their losing streak against the Heat? We’ll see.

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