Charlotte Hornets Defeat Miami Heat 115-110 in Game 3 of NBA Playoffs

Key summary

The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Miami Heat 115-110 on Sunday, October 25, at Spectrum Center to take a 2-1 series lead. The game featured significant roster changes for both teams: the Heat's two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who joined Miami from Milwaukee earlier in the season, scored 14 points and fouled out with six personal fouls before the final two minutes. Charlotte played without key players Conner Knepper and Kobe White following their historic 81-128 loss to Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. Brandon Miller led the Hornets with 34 points, while Dennis Schroder added 25, Naz Reid contributed 23, and Grayson Allen scored 20. The Hornets made 16 of 43 three-point attempts, including five in a 24-7 run during the third quarter that extended their lead from 68-63 to 92-70 with 10 minutes remaining. Head coach Erik Spoelstra substituted Devonte' Graham, Bam Adebayo, Pelle Larsson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bobby Portis into the game after Antetokounmpo fouled out, helping Miami tie the score at 100-100, 102-102, and 104-104. However, Allen's three-pointer on a four-point play with 24 seconds left in the shot clock reset gave Charlotte an 108-104 lead that Miami could not overcome, never narrowing the gap by more than three points until the final buzzer. The event drew a full crowd of 19,611 spectators at Spectrum Center. Other NBA results included Brooklyn Nets losing to Cleveland Cavaliers 121-125, Milwaukee Bucks losing to Philadelphia 76ers 116-127, Washington Wizards beating Chicago Bulls 124-120, San Antonio Spurs defeating Dallas Mavericks 122-106, Houston Rockets beating Atlanta Hawks 121-114, New Orleans Pelicans losing in overtime to Denver Nuggets 135-141, and Golden State Warriors losing to Phoenix Suns 122-131.