The Charlotte Hornets (4-9) will look to avoid a fifth consecutive loss when they travel to South Beach to face the Miami Heat (7-6) on Sunday.
Miami is back home after defeating the Orlando Magic 99-92 on Saturday for their second win in six contests, and will look to avenge an earlier loss to the Hornets this season.
Projected Starting Lineups
Charlotte Hornets
G Kemba Walker – 14.5 ppg, 5.0 apg, 4.6 rpg
G Lance Stephenson – 9.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 5.5 apg
F Gerald Henderson – 5.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg
F Marvin Williams – 6.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg
C Al Jefferson – 20.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg
Miami Heat
G Shabazz Napier – 6.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg
G Mario Chalmers– 14.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg
F Luol Deng – 13.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg
F Shawne Williams – 10.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg
C Chris Bosh – 21.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg
What To Watch For:
To Wade or not to Wade?
As of this writing, Wade's status is still unclear for Sunday's game. However, after taking down a young Magic squad on the road on Saturday, along with having a huge measuring stick game against the Warriors on Tuesday, it's possible that coach Erik Spoelstra sits Wade once again against the sputtering Hornets.
The Hornets' problems at forward
Marvin Williams has been inconsistent. MKG is hurt. PJ Hairston is hurt. Jeff Taylor is suspended. The Charlotte Hornets are extremely thin at the two forward slots, and Miami will look to punish them with steady doses of Chris Bosh and Luol Deng all night long. If Miami can use Charlotte's limited depth as a weapon, this could be a victory running away for the Heat.
Prediction: Heat win 101-91
This Charlotte Hornets team has been an enigma all season long, and it doesn't appear like the puzzle will be solved on this night in Florida. The Miami Heat have struggled with inconsistency themselves, but they should have enough weapons and enough cohesion to take down the Hornets with all the chaos surrounding Steve Clifford's squad.