[8:10 PM] Hornets @ Heat

Who will WIN this matchup?

Charlotte Hornets (1-0)

@ Miami Heat (1-0)

 

Current odds:

Charlotte Hornets: (-110)

Miami Heat: (-110)

 

• ESPN simulations have Charlotte as XX% favorites to win the game.

• XX% of sports bets are currently on Miami to win as (TBD) underdogs.

• The line for this game is even.

• The Charlotte Hornets came within one win of advancing to the Eastern Conference semifinals last season but were crushed 106-73 in Game 7 at the Miami Heat. The Hornets will get an early chance to erase some of that pain when they take on a much different Heat roster in a visit to Miami on Friday.

• The biggest piece Charlotte added after last season is right in the middle with veteran center Roy Hibbert, who is trying to resurrect his career back in the Eastern Conference. The 29-year-old delivered 15 points, nine rebounds and five blocks in his team debut and impressed his new teammates.

• Miami handed the keys to the franchise to Whiteside with a four-year, $98.4 million contract over the summer and he did nothing to suggest he would coast on the new deal while posting 18 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks in 31 minutes on Wednesday. The departures of Wade, Deng and Johnson allowed Justice Winslow to slide into the starting lineup, and the second-year small forward from Duke added 15 points and eight boards alongside Whiteside. Dion Waiters and 24-year-old Tyler Johnson are also in line for bigger roles in the backcourt.

• Dragic, who scored 25 points in the Game 7 win last spring, put up 16 points in the opener.

• Hornets C Frank Kaminsky (foot) sat out the opener and is questionable for Friday.

• Charlotte won in its last regular-season trip to Miami, earning a 109-106 victory on March 17.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Miami Heat

Confidence: 4/10

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