NBA Playoffs: Heat vs. Hornets Game 2 recap, full highlights

The Heat used a strong second half to pull past the Hornets in Game 2 and hold home court in the NBA Playoffs

The Charlotte Hornets left Game 1 against the Miami Heat in their 2016 NBA Playoffs first round series undeniably disappointed after they were just torched for 48 minutes. Though many people thought this Eastern Conference matchup would be one of the most tightly contested in the league, the fellows from South Beach defended home court at AmericanAirlines Arena with a vengeance. However, the Hornets would have a chance at redemption on Wednesday night.

For the first half, it looked like Charlotte was indeed set on rectifying their glaring shortcomings in the first game of the series as they were attacking and matching the Heat blow for blow. It was big man Al Jefferson on the interior that kept the Hornets really rolling as they fed him to attack Hassan Whiteside as the Heat big man dealt with two fouls. However, Miami used a late run in the second quarter led by their resident hero in Dwyane Wade to take a sizeable lead into halftime.

From that point on, the struggles weren’t quite as bad for Charlotte as they were in Game 1, but they couldn’t come up with the defensive stops necessary to mount a comeback on the road against the Heat. They tried to double team Wade, tried to feast on role players off the bench like Josh Richardson, and tried to bait Whiteside into bad decisions, but it was all for naught. Only making matters worse for the Hornets as they try to move forward in this season is the fact that they lost Nicolas Batum to a sprained left ankle in this game, an injury he didn’t return from and one that might sideline him for a bit.

Miami was able to hold on to that lead that they took into halftime and ultimately pick up the win on Wednesday night to go ahead 2-0 in the series and protect home court.

Three Stars

Hassan Whiteside, Heat – 17 points, 13 rebounds, two blocks

Al Jefferson, Hornets – 25 points, seven rebounds, one steal

Dwyane Wade, Heat – 28 points, eight assists, three rebounds, two steals

Highlights

Next Game

The Heat and Hornets will face off in Game 3 on Saturday afternoon as the series moves to Charlotte as the Hornets try to get a win.

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