By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Miami Heat are finally back on track after overpowering the Charlotte Hornets, 122-105, to end their 10-game losing streak in the ongoing NBA regular season on March 24, 2025.
After three weeks of taking L’s, Miami’s sense of urgency pushed them to hit all the right buttons against the Hornets and kept their NBA Play-In stage qualification hopes alive with the much-needed win.
Charlotte still had a narrow six-point lead after the end of the first 12 minutes but a massive counter-rally from the Heat in the second quarter steered them to a 10-point cushion heading to the second half.
Andrew Wiggins caught fire in that period as the former NBA champion bullied his way to the basket that sparked Miami’s 37-point second frame.
Aside from his aggressive drives to the basket, Wiggins also torched the Hornets with his efficient shooting from downtown, backstopped by Tyler Herro who also went crazy from the field.
Miami wasn’t done doing damage as they ballooned their biggest lead of the ball game to 24 points midway through the third. Charlotte tried to devise their offensive approach after involving LaMelo Ball and Mark Williams in the pick-and-roll but the Miami coaching staff was more than prepared and saw the execution coming.
Just like his fiery start in the third, Wiggins kicked off the final canto with a one-man wrecking machine mindset to help protect Miami’s double-digit lead. With nothing else falling for Charlotte, head coach Charles Lee waved the white flag with four minutes remaining in the fourth.
Wiggins played his best game since signing with the Heat and wrapped up the streak-busting dub with 42 big points built from an efficient 16/21 shooting from the field.
The athletic small forward shot the lights out from the three-point line after burying six out of his eight total attempts alongside five assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
Herro also picked up where he left off from his past games and backstopped Wiggins with 29 markers, six boards, three dimes, and three steals.
Miami will look to resume their playoff hunt on March 26, 2025, as they welcome the return of their former franchise player Jimmy Butler who is now with the Golden State Warriors.
