Miami, FL - The Miami Heat, who entered last night’s game with a 2-1 record, were coming off a scrappy win against the New York Knicks, with a final score of 115-107. It was a great way to kick off their mini-homestand before a four-game Western Conference road trip commences. The team has been playing fast, with the bonus of making shots at a high efficiency, but they would face their match against the Charlotte Hornets.

The visitors were a much younger group, but very competitive to start the season. The Hornets also entered last night’s game with a 2-1 record, coming off a blowout win against the Washington Wizards, with a final score of 139-113. All-Star guard LaMelo Ball played a massive role in the team’s victory, recording 38 points, 13 rebounds, 13 assists, and three steals. It would be a tough task for the Heat to slow down the young, electrifying guard.

Both sides were shorthanded.

The Heat would miss Norman Powell due to right groin soreness. He’s been an excellent piece to begin the season. The veteran guard is averaging 24 points, 7.3 rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while shooting 47.7 percent from the field, 50 percent from three-point range in the first three games of the season.

They’d also remain without Tyler Herro (ankle), Kasparas Jakucionas (groin), and Terry Rozier (not with the team).

Simone Fontecchio was questionable due to calf soreness, but was later upgraded to available.

The Hornets were without former lottery pick Brandon Miller after he was diagnosed with a left shoulder subluxation, which was sustained in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.

They’d also remain without Josh Green (left shoulder) and Grant Williams (right knee).

Tre Mann was listed as questionable due to a jaw contusion, but was later upgraded to available.

The starting lineups:

Heat: Davion Mitchell-Pelle Larsson-Andrew Wiggins-Bam Adebayo–Kel’el Ware

Hornets: LaMelo Ball-Collin Sexton-Kon Knueppel-Miles Bridges-Ryan Kalkbrenner

It was time for tip-off, and the Heat got things started with an Andrew Wiggins lob to Kel’el Ware. However, it didn’t take long for the Hornets to respond, especially Ball, with a couple of long-range threes, steps away from the arc.

Throughout the first quarter, both teams made it an emphasis to score in the paint, combining for 34 points in the paint, in favor of the Heat’s 20 over the Hornets’ 14. They also finished with 18 three-point attempts. The focus has been more about scoring on drives and running up and down the court.

Jaime Jaquez Jr., who got to a great start, closed the first quarter with a posterizing dunk over Hornets center Moussa Diabate.

The Heat put together an 8-0 run late in the first to gain some momentum. However, the scoreboard remained close, 37-34, with the home team ahead.

To begin the second quarter, Miles Bridges got the scoring started with a turnaround fadeaway. However, the Heat remained hot, going on a 13-4 run to start things off. They were also getting intense defensively, especially with a block from Simone Fontecchio on Bridges on a dunk attempt, who also had a four–point play moments earlier.

The Hornets would find some momentum, making three consecutive three-pointers, but then the Heat responded with a 19-3 run to end the second quarter, heading into halftime. The game began with touches in the paint, then expanded to behind the arc, both teams taking over 10 attempts in the second quarter alone.

As they head to their locker rooms, Jaquez Jr. continues to be aggressive, finishing the first half with 20 points and a couple of three-pointers made; he had none before last night’s game.

Larsson, who got the call-up to the starting lineup with Powell sidelined, was right behind him with 12 points in 15 minutes. He only played slightly above 15 minutes in the first three games of the season combined. A true testament to the Heat’s motto, “stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.”

The Hornets had a difficult time finding offensive production for anyone outside of Ball and Collin Sexton, who combined for 25 points in the first half. Also, they committed 10 turnovers, which resulted in 18 points for the Heat.

It would take strong discipline for them to get back in the game, with a score of 76-60 at the half.

The Hornets kicked off the second half with a couple of threes by rookie forward Kon Knueppel. They carved out an 11-2 run to cut down the margin.

The Heat were in an offensive slump, finishing with empty possessions, until Jaquez Jr. scored on an offensive rebound, followed by a Bam Adebayo hook shot, plus a foul, but failed to cover on the three-point play.

The Hornets appeared to have found a spark, scoring on three straight possessions, until Adebayo made a right corner three, followed by a horrendous three-point attempt from Ball in isolation, defended by Jaquez Jr.

The Heat continued to throw haymakers, going on an 11-0 run, before a left corner three-pointer by Knueppel. However, they didn’t slow down, scoring five more unanswered points.

The Heat finished the third quarter on a 21-7 run, building their lead up to 17.

As the final 12 minutes of the game rolled out, it was a critical moment for the Hornets. However, in every attempt to spark a comeback, the Heat hammered the nail in their coffin deeper. The offense continues to look amazing, despite missing Powell and Herro.

As the final buzzer sounded, the Heat earned their second consecutive victory at home, with a final score of 144-117. That would’ve been their second-highest scoring game last season.

The Heat improved their record to 3-1 as they prepare for a business trip out West.

The biggest takeaways:

Heat; Jaime Jaquez Jr. continues hot start:

The third-year forward continues to build an early Sixth Man of the Year campaign. He finished with 28 points, four rebounds, five assists, and a steal in 28 minutes. Jaquez Jr. was the Heat’s leading scorer. There’s a different set of confidence for the 24-year-old this season. He’s alluded to being a leader for the second unit.

“I just like my ability to get downhill,” he said postgame. “Attack, get in the paint, and just create. I think that was one of my biggest takeaways. I was happy that I knocked down a couple of threes.”

If Jaquez Jr. sustains this level of production, it strengthens the Heat’s depth.

Hornets; No show from LaMelo:

Ball started the game hot, scoring 15 points in the first quarter, but only had five for the rest of the game.

It’s no secret that the 24-year-old is the head of the snake for the Hornets. He is supposed to be the leader on the court. However, the Heat did a great job defensively in disrupting his rhythm.

The only other Hornets to score in double figures are Bridges, Knueppel, Sexton, and Kalkbreener, but they couldn’t make up for Ball’s offensive explosiveness.

Heat; Scary depth:

The Heat’s reserve players continue to shine and provide a spark for the team. Along with Jaquez Jr., Fontecchio and Nikola Jovic also finished in double figures, combining for 20 points. They’ve been among the highest-scoring benches in the league.

Larsson didn't play much before last night's game, yet still finished with an excellent performance. The Swedish guard recorded 17 points, along with three three-pointers made, five rebounds, three assists, and a steal in 31 minutes.

“Just come with that energy that the second unit has been playing with the whole time and give that to the starting lineup,” he said postgame.  

On any given night, anybody has a chance to step up. This team is playing without a one-dimensional player, which allows everyone a chance to impact winning.

The Heat finished last night’s game with 58 total bench points, compared to the Hornets’ 33. None of the reserves on the visitors’ side scored in double figures.

Heat; Wiggins finds his flow:

Before last night’s game, Andrew Wiggins started the season on a decent note, then hit a bit of a slump. However, against the Hornets, he finished with 21 points, along with three three-pointers made, two rebounds, two assists, three steals, and a block in 30 minutes.

“I’m not one to force shot,” he said postgame about his role. “I play within the flow of the offense, play within the flow of the game. Do whatever I can to help the team win. Tyler is a bucket, an All-Star. We got Norm, who had a hell of a season last year, should’ve been an All-Star. He’s heading towards it this year. We got a lot of guys that can do special things.”

Wiggins stepped up when the Heat needed him most, especially with Powell sidelined. If the 30-year-old manages to maintain a steady level of production on the court, then it could push the Heat towards championship contention.

Heat; The next game:

It's still early in the season, but the Heat are already exceeding expectations. They will begin their West Coast road trip in San Antonio, Texas, to take on 21-year-old prodigy Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time. 

He's averaging 31 points, 13.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 4.8 blocks while shooting 60.3 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three-point range in all four games to begin the season. The Spurs are also one of four teams to remain undefeated.

It will be a tough task for the Heat, but it will only make them stronger and sharper.