MIAMI (AP) — Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 20 of his 28 points in the first half to continue his hot-shooting start to the season, leading the high-scoring Miami Heat to a 144-117 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night.
Bam Adebayo contributed 26 points, while Andrew Wiggins added 21 for the Heat, who secured their third consecutive win after dropping the season opener to Orlando. The team played without leading scorer Norman Powell, who had 29 points in Sunday’s win over New York but was sidelined due to a groin injury sustained during the morning shootaround.
Jaquez was instrumental off the bench, helping the Heat outscore the Hornets 58-33 in bench points. He shot 9 for 14 from the floor and posted an impressive plus-43 rating. The third-year guard, drafted with the 18th pick by Miami in 2023, is currently shooting 69% through four games, making 31 of 45 attempts.
After finishing 24th in the NBA for scoring last season, the Heat are now averaging 132 points per game. Pelle Larsson filled in for Powell, contributing 17 points and five rebounds. Miami closed the first half with an 11-0 run over the final 3:13, taking a 76-60 lead.
Although the Hornets briefly narrowed the gap to three points, the Heat responded with a 23-7 surge extending into the fourth quarter to regain control and pull away.
For Charlotte, LaMelo Ball nearly recorded another triple-double with 20 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Rookie Kon Knueppel added 19 points. The Hornets played their second straight game without starting forward Brandon Miller, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury suffered Saturday in Philadelphia. Miller missed 55 games last season recovering from wrist surgery.
**Up Next**
Hornets: Host Orlando on Thursday
Heat: Visit San Antonio on Thursday to begin a four-game road trip
https://wsvn.com/sports/miami-heat/jaime-jaquez-jr-scores-28-points-to-spark-high-scoring-heat-in-144-117-win-over-hornets/
