Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro Step Up As Heat Hold Off Hornets 114-106 For First Win

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. 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. 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. Five Degrees of Heat from Saturday night’s game against the Hornets: 1.