Power forward Kevin Love scored a season-high 19 points to help the Heat pick up a 116-114 road win over the Hornets on Monday. Love scored 14 and grabbed 12 rebounds in the previous game, a home loss to the Cavaliers.
“I can’t speak enough about Kevin and his leadership and his presence,” coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. “He has that highly decorated championship-level experience. He’s great for our young guys, but boy is he great for (Jimmy Butler). They have a great connection and symmetry when they’re out there together.”
Love finished the game by going 7-of-11 from the field with four threes.
- Butler scored 23 and iced the game with a pair of free throws with 4.3 seconds left. Charlotte had one last chance, but without any timeouts, had to race the ball up the court. Hornets guard Terry Rozier‘s desperation heave at the final buzzer understandably was way off.
- The biggest night came from small forward Duncan Robinson, who scored 24, with five threes. Swingman Caleb Martin (20 points) said he benefitted from Robinson’s strong play. “I get to have a night like I had tonight when he’s drawing so much attention, and he’s dishing it and making shots and doing a little bit of everything,” Martin said. “He just makes the flow of the offense that much easier and I get to be a recipient of that. I love when he plays well.”
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