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Saturday, Dec. 18 7:30pm ET
Hornets win eighth consecutive game | |||||
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 GAME FLOW
MIAMI (AP) -- The Charlotte Hornets are learning how to win, which makes coach Paul Silas very proud of his young team. Eddie Jones scored 24 points and Derrick Coleman had 19 as the Charlotte Hornets won their eighth consecutive game with a 106-89 victory over the reeling Miami Heat Saturday night.
"I like the way that we're playing," Silas said. "The only thing that surprises me is that my young boys are maturing very rapidly." With the victory, Charlotte moved into first place in the Eastern Conference for the first time in franchise history. The Hornets have won 11 of 12 at home, and improved to 5-6 on the road. "I think the guys are learning about winning now," Silas said. "I'm not surprised at all (by the start). It's a credit to the players. They're the ones doing it. They're listening, learning and jelling as a team." Miami has now lost four straight for the first time since last March 26-April 3, and the Heat also lost forward Jamal Mashburn to a sprained left ankle in the second half. "It was an absolute disaster, a total collapse," Miami coach Pat Riley said. "This was the worst loss all year. The loss overshadowed a strong performance by Miami center Alonzo Mourning. He had 18 points, 11 rebounds and tied his own Heat record with nine blocks against his former team. Mourning had seven blocks in the first half, a Miami record, as the team broke the old record for rejections in a half (nine) with 10 swats. The Heat tied a franchise record with 15 blocks in the game. The Heat had lost its last three games to Seattle, Golden State and Milwaukee and coach Pat Riley put the team through a grueling practice Friday. The Hornets appeared quicker for much of the contest. "After a loss like this you're not disappointed, you're disgusted," Riley said. "We did not pick up our intensity. We did not stay in it defensively. Mashburn had 12 points for Miami before leaving in the third quarter. "It hurts a lot now," Mashburn said after the game. "I'm going to get some treatment and see how it feels. I don't plan to miss any games." A 14-foot jumper by Mourning had put the Heat out in front 64-55 with 3:42 left in the third. But led by Jones, a native of nearby Pompano Beach, the Hornets climbed back in front and led 70-67 after three quarters. The Heat would never seriously threaten in the final 12 minutes. Miami, which was again without injured guard Tim Hardaway, struggled early by missing 13 of its first 18 shots from the field. Rookie Anthony Carter had 10 points and 10 assists in place of Hardaway, who may return this week. The Heat trailed for much of the first half and fell behind by 12 early. Miami tied the game at 43 late in the half when Eddie Jones was called for goaltending on a shot by Voshon Lenard.
Game notes | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Charlotte Clubhouse Miami Clubhouse RECAPS Washington 95 New York 83
Charlotte 106
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