Many of the NBA's first round series are clearly lopsided matchups. This one is not. Thanks to a four-way tie at 48 games, the Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets face each other in the No. 3 and 6 seed matchup, despite having the same number of wins. Don't let the seeding affect what you think of these two squads.
Hornets vs. Heat 2016 live stream: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch NBA playoffs online
Both teams reinvented themselves this season and it should result in a tantalizing series.
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The third-seeded Heat suffered a big blow when it was confirmed Friday that Chris Bosh would not be available to return for the playoffs. Still, they've missed him for the second half of the season and somehow come out mostly alright, playing slightly faster in a move that has allowed them to have the NBA's sixth-best offense since the All-Star break.
Dwyane Wade's play has been a huge part of it, while rookie Justise Winslow only keeps getting better. They'll be tested going up against Charlotte, who boasts a top-10 defense themselves. Even without Michael Kidd-Gilchrist most of the year, they've sustained by relying on a resurgent Nicolas Batum. Offensively, they've created a new look basically without changing anything. They now emphasize three-point shooters and use quick, decisive creators in the pick-and-roll to open up simple looks that go in at a high percentage.
Charlotte has a slight upper hand in this series, especially with Miami’s loss of Bosh. But all the Hornets and the Heat need is a couple very strong games and perhaps a few lucky bounces, and it could easily go to either of them.
Place: American Airlines Arena
Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Streaming: WatchTNT, TNT Overtime, SlingTV
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