NBA Playoffs: Heat vs. Hornets Game 1 recap, full highlights

The Miami Heat cruised past the Charlotte Hornets for a win in Game 1 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

The Miami Heat genuinely believe they have the deepest roster in the league and the best team in the Eastern Conference after they signed Joe Johnson. With the way the team has been gelling and their performance on Sunday, they might have a case, while the top two seeds have struggled.

The Hornets never even had a chance in Game 1, as the Heat got off to a huge lead early. Hassan Whiteside was working down low and was an absolute force in the middle for the Heat. His impact wasn’t just on offense down low either, he worked to keep the Hornets off the boards and he was swatting away shots that came his way.

The Heat were so in sync on offense with Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade running the the team in the first quarter, that the team had 41 points by the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Nic Batum and Kemba Walker would start hitting shots for the Hornets to try and get the team back in it, but Luol Deng was beginning to get hot from deep.

In the third quarter, the Hornets once again could not cut the deficit and as the quarter was coming to a close, the wheels officially finally fell off, as Dragic hit Whiteside with a lob that brought the capacity crowd at the American Airlines Arena to their feet.

In the fourth quarter, the Heat were able to get players like Wade important rest while young players like Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson were able to get into the game and contribute. Each of them had solid minutes off the bench.

The Hornets failed to control the boards in the fourth quarter and the Heat would really run time off the clock with the large lead. The Hornets would manage to cut the lead back to 21, but Deng would hit yet another huge jumper.

The Heat would empty the bench, unload some more threes and pull away with the huge win Game 1.

Full Highlights

Three Stars

3. Dwyane Wade

Wade led by example for the rest of his team to follow. He finished with 16 points and 7 assists in a very efficient manner.

2. Hassan Whiteside

Whiteside showed why he ultimately is going to be the difference between a short playoff run and a long one for the Miami Heat. He changed the whole game with his presence inside. He finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks.

1. Luol Deng

Luol Deng turned back the clock and was the superstar that they needed in Game 1 against Charlotte. Deng finished the night with 31 points and 7 rebounds.

Betting Odds

The Heat came into the game as a 4.5-point favorite. With the blowout win, the Heat covered easily.

What’s Next?

The Heat and Hornets will meet in Game 2 in Miami on Wednesday night.

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