Bosh racked up 20 points and 10 rebounds and hit a turnaround jumper from the right baseline that proved to be the game-winner for Miami, which was without starting guards Dwyane Wade (hamstring) and Norris Cole (dislocated finger). Mario Chalmers also scored 20 to go with 10 assists and rookie Shabazz Napier added 14 off the bench for the Heat.
Al Jefferson had 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead Charlotte but his tip-in attempt of a Kemba Walker miss rimmed out just before the buzzer. Lance Stephenson scored 17 points and Walker contributed 16 and seven rebounds as the Hornets dropped to 1-7 on the road.
The Hornets scored the first seven points of the third quarter with the help of three steals to cut their 53-44 halftime deficit to two, and Stephenson knocked down a jumper to pull even at 57 before Walker's 3-pointer put Charlotte ahead with 6:50 left in the third. The Hornets pulled out to a five-point lead entering the fourth and took their biggest lead of the game at 85-77 on Brian Roberts' leaner with 6:41 remaining.
Miami answered with a 10-1 run with Napier scoring the final five, making two free throws after a steal and draining a 3-pointer to put the Heat on top 87-86 with 5:11 left. Gary Neal put the Hornets ahead 93-91 with a jumper with 2:31 left, but a Chalmers free throw and Bosh's fadeaway jumper reclaimed the lead for Miami. Walker's floater and Jefferson's putback effort wouldn't go on Charlotte's final possession.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Miami C Chris Andersen left in the first quarter with a sprained right ankle and did not return. … Jefferson has topped 20 points nine times in his last 12 games and has scored in double figures in 38 of his last 39 in the regular season. … Charlotte has lost 10 straight games in Miami and 17 of the last 18 regular-season meetings overall.
Charlotte | Miami | |
Al Jefferson 22 | Scoring | Luol Deng 26 |
Lance Stephenson 5 | Assists | Mario Chalmers 10 |
Al Jefferson 12 | Rebounds | Chris Bosh 10 |
Al Jefferson 4 | Free Throws Made | Mario Chalmers 9 |
Kemba Walker 3 | Steals | Shabazz Napier 2 |
Cody Zeller 1 | Blocks | Shawne Williams 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Charlotte | 93 | 46.8 | 7-21 | 12-16 | 18 | 33 | 1 | 9 | 11 |
Miami | 94 | 50.0 | 11-23 | 17-19 | 19 | 36 | 5 | 4 | 17 |