The Charlotte Hornets will face off against the Miami Heat at the Kaseya Center on Friday night as part of the East Group C of the NBA Cup. Both teams are looking to bounce back after recent losses. The Hornets hold a record of 3-5, while the Heat are currently 4-4.
Miami’s recent struggles included a disappointing 122-112 defeat against the Denver Nuggets, which concluded a challenging 1-3 road trip. The loss was compounded by the exit of star player Bam Adebayo in the first quarter due to a left foot injury. In that game, Norman Powell led the Nuggets with 23 points, and Andrew Wiggins contributed 22 points. Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 21 points off the bench, with Kel’el Ware recording a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds, alongside four steals.
The Hornets, on the other hand, faced the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday and suffered a 116-112 setback, marking the first time this season they lost to the Pelicans. The team was impacted by the absence of key players LaMelo Ball, who is sidelined with an ankle injury, and Brandon Miller, who is out with a shoulder issue. Miles Bridges led the scoring for Charlotte with 22 points, supported by rookie Kon Knueppel, who had 20 points and 12 rebounds. Tre Mann also made a notable contribution with 18 points off the bench.
As both teams vie for a crucial win in Group C, they will be competing against other contenders, including the Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and New York Knicks. The Bulls have established an early lead with a 1-0 record in the group, while the Knicks are currently at 0-1.
Fans won’t want to miss this matchup, with the game scheduled for 8:00 PM ET. It will be broadcasted on FanDuel Sports Network and can be streamed live on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscriptions. This game presents an exciting opportunity for both teams to gain momentum as the season progresses.