Facing a win or go home scenario, the Miami Heat prevailed from Charlotte with an impressive 97-90 Game 6 victory Friday night.
Led by Dwyane Wade, the Heat were able to weather the Charlotte storm throughout the night. Miami maintained a lead through the game’s final three quarters and went into halftime winning by 9. Heat center Hassan Whiteside sparked Miami’s early start with a series of impressive defensive plays.
After halftime, the Hornets started building momentum. Miami started the third quarter 3-16 from the field, allowing the Hornets to cut a 12 point lead down to 4. Heading into the fourth, Miami held just a 5 point lead in Charlotte’s rowdy arena.
The Hornets’ late game heroics came from Kemba Walker (37 points). Over the span of three minutes, Walker had scored thirteen straight points for the Hornets to trim Miami’s lead down to 2. This ridiculous three pointer started it off:
Is it Kemba time?!?!? Hits the tough step back jumper! #BuzzCityhttps://t.co/RCMMt7jTGP
— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) April 30, 2016
Despite feeling the Hornets’ pressure all game long, the Heat just kept coming. Whether it was Deng (21 points), Whiteside (12 points), or the Heat’s miracle man Dwyane Wade (23 points), Miami produced a well balanced attack throughout the entire duration of the game.
In the end, the 2006 version of Dwyane Wade proved to be too much for the Charlotte Hornets:
D-Wade knocks down his first 3 pointer of 2016 ???#Heat#HeatNationhttps://t.co/55QtiMDJTu
— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) April 30, 2016
The last time Dwyane Wade hit a three pointer was December of 2015. In case you listed that shot as lucky, Wade managed to make a second three just minutes later:
https://t.co/CJIwCw8oZP
To firmly seal the deal, Wade topped off a brilliant performance on the defensive end, adding insult to injury:
D-Wade refused to go home tonight! Clutch block on Kemba Walker.#Heathttps://t.co/MZLJ8J8cuu
— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) April 30, 2016
With the late rejection, Dwyane Wade passed Michael Jordan for most Playoff blocks by a guard in NBA history (159).
The Charlotte Hornets will now travel back to Miami for a Game 7 win-or-go-home showdown with the hometown Heat. In recent Game 7’s hosted by Miami, teams such as Boston (2012), San Antonio (2013), and Indiana (2013) were unsuccessful in its attempts of closing out the series in American Airlines Arena. Will the Charlotte Hornets once again do the unthinkable and steal one on the road? If the Heat gave up a 2-0 advantage to fall back 2-3, it certainly can lose a Game 7 in Miami. With fans, players, and coaches fully locked in for what could be the final game of the season, it’ll surely be painfully challenging for both teams to pull out a victory this Sunday, 1:00 EST on TNT in Game 7 of this memorable first round series. The winner of this game will play the winner of the Pacers/Raptors game, 8:00 EST on TNT, in the next round.
Game 6 Star Player: Dwyane Wade (23 points, 3 blocks, 2 steals, 10-20 FG).
