The Heat lose another meaningful road game to another Eastern Conference foe.
Two days after holding the best record in the East and third best in the league, the Miami Heat have dropped two straight games against short-handed, fellow division rivals. The first loss came at home on Monday against the Washington Wizards who were without big men, Marcin Gortat and Nene Hilario. Tonight, it was the Al Jefferson-less Charlotte Hornets.
Despite being without their starting center, Charlotte played like a much more unified team. Behind Nicolas Batum's six first quarter assists, six different players scored the ball in the period to give the Hornets a 27-17 lead after one.