Miami plays Charlotte, seeks 5th straight victory

Charlotte Hornets (40-38, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Miami Heat (51-28, first in the Eastern Conference)

Miami; Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Heat -5.5

BOTTOM LINE: Miami will try to build upon its four-game win streak with a victory against Charlotte.

The Heat are 33-16 against Eastern Conference opponents. Miami is the league leader shooting 37.7% from downtown, led by PJ Tucker shooting 41.6% from 3-point range.

The Hornets are 6-7 against Southeast Division teams. Charlotte is third in the league scoring 50.8 points per game in the paint led by Miles Bridges averaging 10.6.

The teams play for the fourth time this season. The Heat won the last matchup 111-107 in overtime on Feb. 18, with Kyle Lowry scoring 25 points points in the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Tyler Herro is shooting 44.3% and averaging 20.6 points for the Heat. Lowry is averaging 3.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Miami.

LaMelo Ball is averaging 19.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.6 steals for the Hornets. Bridges is averaging 22.7 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 54.9% over the last 10 games for Charlotte.

LAST 10 GAMES: Heat: 6-4, averaging 110.3 points, 40.1 rebounds, 24.7 assists, 6.2 steals and 2.6 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.4 points per game.

Hornets: 7-3, averaging 116.5 points, 41.6 rebounds, 31.4 assists, 8.3 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 49.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.6 points.

INJURIES: Heat: P.J. Tucker: out (knee), Dewayne Dedmon: out (ankle), Jimmy Butler: out (toe), Gabe Vincent: out (toe).

Hornets: None listed.

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