Robinson, Heat hold on to top Hornets 116-114

Jimmy Butler contributed 23 points and eight assists while Caleb Martin delivered a strong performance with 20 points and nine rebounds for Miami. The team had been struggling, losing five of their last seven games before this one. Jaime Jaquez also added 18 points before fouling out toward the end of the game.

On the Hornets' side, Rozier showcased his skills, scoring 34 points and hitting eight 3-pointers. However, his attempt for a halfcourt shot at the final buzzer didn't find success, hitting the backboard and bouncing away.

Robinson, determined to bounce back from a poor shooting night in a previous game, started strong and finished 8 of 14 from the field. He nailed crucial shots, including buzzer-beating 3-pointers and drives to the basket.

Martin acknowledged Butler's impact on the game, appreciating how his performance opened up opportunities for others. Martin expressed his delight in benefiting from Butler's play, highlighting the ease it brings to the team's offense.

Notably, Kevin Love also made a significant contribution with two important 3-pointers and finished 7 of 11 from the field with four 3-point shots.

Miami maintained a lead for most of the game, holding a 12-point advantage entering the fourth quarter. Despite the Hornets' attempts to take the lead, Miami consistently responded, whether through Lowry's 3-pointers, Love's putbacks, or Robinson's drives.

However, the Hornets fought back, narrowing the lead to one point with just under seven minutes remaining in the game, primarily through Rozier's impressive 3-point shooting.

The Heat, recognizing Rozier's threat, strategically fouled him late in the game to avoid giving him the opportunity for potentially game-changing 3-point shots. This decision was influenced by Butler's push for the foul during a timeout, aiming to prevent Rozier from taking those difficult, step-back 3-pointers that he had been successful with earlier in the game.

Despite Charlotte's efforts to close the gap, Miami managed to secure the win. Butler's free throws in the final seconds sealed the victory for Miami, with Charlotte unable to mount a final comeback attempt due to the lack of timeouts.

Looking ahead, the teams are set to face each other again on Wednesday night in Miami.