CHARLOTTE – Some nights it’s the stifling defensive length of the Orlando Magic and the realization that this might take time to come together.
Other nights, it’s a shorthanded, fatigued Charlotte Hornets roster that allows for uneven play to be enough.
After being blown out on their homecourt Wednesday night in their season opener by the defending Southeast Division champion Magic, the Miami Heat got a needed reprieve Saturday night against the lower tier of the Southeast, pushing past the Hornets 114-106 at Spectrum Center.
“Our disposition, physicality and efforts, that was much better,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. “The disposition was much more to our standard.
With the Hornets lacking Brandon Miller and other rotation pieces, and with Charlotte playing on the second night of a back-to-back after a Friday night loss in Atlanta, the Heat took advantage of their two days of rest to move to 1-1 on the season behind a late takeover from Jimmy Butler, who closed with 26 points, eight assists and eight rebounds.
Butler’s effort included an 11-of-17 performance on free throws.
“Efficiency,” Spoelstra said of Butler’s steadying influence. “You can stem the tide of a run by getting to the free-throw line.”
With Bam Adebayo for a second consecutive game unable to hit his offensive stride, Butler found support in 22 points from Tyler Herro and 19 from former Hornets guard Terry Rozier.
Factor in forcing 20 turnovers that led to 24 points, the Heat were able to get by on a night Adebayo closed 6 of 17 for 12 points, albeit with 11 rebounds.
“It’s a key emphasis,” Herro said, “to force turnovers and get out in transition.”
Five Degrees of Heat from Saturday night’s game against the Hornets:
1. Closing time: It was tied 23-23 after the first period, with the Heat then moving to a 56-48 halftime lead and an 83-72 edge into the fourth.
The Heat opened the final period with Butler as the lone starter on the court, with the Hornets immediately draining consecutive 3-pointers to open the period and move within 83-78.
The Heat pushed back to a 14-point lead, but then back came the Hornets, closing within 99-96 with 2:56 to play behind their 3-point game.
The teams then matched baskets on four consecutive possessions before a Herro 3-pointer with 1:15 to play produced a 107-101 Heat lead and Butler then added a pair of free throws with 66 seconds left to make it 109-101.
Miles Bridges followed with a 3-pointer to draw Charlotte within 109-104, with Rozier following with a second-chance 3-pointer for a 112-104 lead, effectively closing it out.
“It’s always good to see someone play well and get the win on his former home court,” Spoelstra said of Rozier. “But he did it in the context of what was going to impact winning.”
2. Issue again: A game after Butler and Adebayo combined for 12 points on 2-of-13 shooting in Wednesday night’s season-opening loss to the Orlando Magic, they this time went scoreless in the first quarter, a combined 0 for 5 from the field in the period.
Butler had a chance to end the shutout late in the first quarter, but missed a free throw after a Hornets technical foul.
Butler scored his first points on a layup 17 seconds into the second period, the first of seven consecutive points by Butler, as Adebayo remained on the bench.
Adebayo opened 0 for 5 before converting a short jump hook with 5:08 left in the second period, then scoring again on the Heat’s next possession.
In the end, it was Butler’s 13 fourth-quarter points that put it away.
“Just happy to get one in the win column,” Butler said.
By doing it his way, bullying his way into the heart of the Hornets’ defense.
“We’ve got to always remember who we are,” Butler said.
3. Revised rotation: Out of the rotation in the opener, Alec Burks and Dru Smith were part of the Heat’s early 10-man mix, with Smith’s initial stint limited after picking up three fouls in his opening 2:51.
The reshuffling had Haywood Highsmith out of the Heat mix, somewhat surprisingly considering the Heat already were down a pair of power players, with Kevin Love away for a second consecutive game due to a personal matter and Kel’el Ware sidelined by a stomach illness.
Burks did not play in Wednesday’s season opener, with Smith only with mop-up duty in the blowout loss. Smith did not return in the second half.
Burks closed 3 of 4 on 3-pointers.
“He’s such a pro,” Spoelstra said. “You hear that term tossed around so much in our league. But he is a pro’s pro.”
4. Finding his way: Among Heat rotation players, Herro was asked to alter his game the most in the offseason, to only play for 3-pointers and layups or dunks.
He fulfilled that mandate early, with 13 first-half points, including a 3-pointer that ran his streak of games with at least one to 41, dating to last season, six games from the longest such streak of his six seasons.
It was the 32nd consecutive game scoring in double figures for Herro, six games from the longest such streak of his six seasons.
For an offense charged with playing at pace, at times it is as if Herro’s is the lone Heat player doing so.
“Tyler has been intentional about moving without the ball,” Spoelstra said.
5. Rozier’s return: The last time the Heat played in Charlotte, Rozier was leading the Hornets with 34 points.
This time back, there was a tribute video during the first timeout, with Rozier embracing several of his former teammates before that on the layups lines.
Rozier was acquired from Charlotte last January after the teams’ four 2023-24 meetings.
Rozier closed 7 of 12 from the field, including 3 of 6 on 3-pointers, with five rebounds and three assists.
“It was super special,” Rozier said of making the key late shot and winning in his return.
