Miami plays Charlotte, looks for 5th straight road win

Updated Feb. 16, 2022 3:22 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Miami Heat (37-21, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Charlotte Hornets (29-30, ninth in the Eastern Conference)

Charlotte, North Carolina; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Miami will try to keep its four-game road win streak intact when the Heat play Charlotte.

The Hornets have gone 5-6 against division opponents. Charlotte ranks ninth in the league shooting 35.8% from deep, led by Kai Jones shooting 50.0% from 3-point range.

The Heat are 10-2 against opponents in the Southeast Division. Miami has a 3-5 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The teams square off for the third time this season. The Heat won the last meeting 104-86 on Feb. 6. Jimmy Butler scored 27 points to help lead the Heat to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: LaMelo Ball is averaging 20.2 points, seven rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.6 steals for the Hornets. Terry Rozier is averaging 21.4 points over the last 10 games for Charlotte.

Tyler Herro is averaging 20 points and 3.9 assists for the Heat. Butler is averaging 23.7 points over the last 10 games for Miami.

LAST 10 GAMES: Hornets: 2-8, averaging 109.0 points, 48.9 rebounds, 26.6 assists, 8.4 steals and 3.8 blocks per game while shooting 42.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.5 points per game.

Heat: 6-4, averaging 110.2 points, 45.9 rebounds, 25.2 assists, 8.7 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.6 points.

INJURIES: Hornets: Jalen McDaniels: out (ankle), Cody Martin: out (ankle/achilles), Gordon Hayward: out (ankle).

Heat: Victor Oladipo: out (right knee), Markieff Morris: out (reconditioning), Dewayne Dedmon: out (back), Tyler Herro: out (knee).

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