Preview: Heat Face Hornets in Game 5 With Series Tied

The Miami Heat will be looking to take the series lead Wednesday night when they host the Charlotte Hornets in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round. The series is currently tied at two games each.

After taking a 2-0 series lead over the Hornets behind stellar offensive performances, the Heat have dropped the past two games to the Hornets.

The first loss saw the Heat fall 96-80 in Game 3. Though the Heat did manage to outrebound the Hornets in that game, Miami had 15 turnovers to Charlotte’s four. Miami’s field goal percentage also took a hit that game, dropping to 34.2 percent after being above 50 percent in their two wins against the Hornets.

It was much of the same in their second loss in Game 4, with the Heat’s field goal percentage still well below what it was in their two victories (just 39.5 percent), and with 17 turnovers to the Hornets’ ten.

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade said the Heat have to take better care of the ball and have to make shots.

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The Heat will also have to do a better job of containing Charlotte point guard Kemba Walker, who has scored 51 points in the Hornets’ last two victories including a 34 point performance in Game 4.

The Hornets’ Nicolas Batum is expected to return tonight after missing the past two games in the series with an ankle injury. However, the Heat’s Tyler Johnson has been ruled out for tonight’s game. Johnson has been out of action since late January after undergoing shoulder surgery.

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Game 5 will tip off at 8 p.m. from American Airlines Arena in Miami.