Miller scores 34 as Hornets hold off Heat 115-110

Brandon Miller scored 34 points, 11 of 12 at the free-throw line, and the Charlotte Hornets held off the Miami Heat 115-110 on Saturday, October 24, after leading by 23 in the third quarter.

Miller shot 10 of 29 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds. Charlotte opened the second half on a 10-0 run and led 78-63 before the third quarter was half over. The Hornets scored 30 points in the period to Miami's 17.

The Hornets (2-1) stretched the margin to 96-73 late in the third. Miami (0-3) scored 35 in the fourth and used a 10-0 run to cut it to 100-95.

A 13-foot turnaround jumper by Miller answered. Bam Adebayo dunked for Miami, and Grayson Allen hit a 26-foot three-pointer plus the free throw that came with it. Dennis Schroder and Miller each made two free throws in the closing minutes, and Allen added one with 14.1 seconds left for a 113-107 lead.

A 28-foot three-pointer by Davion Mitchell with 8.1 seconds left made it 113-110. Allen made both free throws with 5.8 seconds to play, and Miami did not score again.

Mitchell finished with 22 points, 10 assists and eight made shots in 13 attempts, a double-double. Adebayo scored 20 on 7-of-17 shooting. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 14 points in 25 minutes, and Miami was outscored by 20 with him on the floor.

Schroder had 25 points, Naz Reid 23 and Allen 20 for a team that had only a 38.5 percent chance of winning before tip-off. The Hornets outrebounded the Heat 45-37 and made 16 threes.

Both teams made 23 of 25 free throws.

Up next

Heat: host the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, October 26.

Hornets: host the Washington Wizards on Monday, October 26.