Miami

Heat Advance to Second Round With Easy Win in Game Seven

The Heat easily beat the Hornets on Sunday to advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs

The Miami Heat beat the Charlotte Hornets 106-73 on Sunday to advance to the second round of the NBA playoffs.

The victory came in the seventh game of the opening round series with the winner advancing and the loser going home. Miami had trailed in the series 3-2 and needed two straight wins to move on. The Heat did just that and now enter the second round with momentum.

Miami took a 12-point lead into the locker room at the half, thanks in part to a huge first half from Goran Dragic. The guard had 17 points in the first half which was more than his average game total thus far in the series. Dragic was active and consistent with his shot attempts.

The Heat would extend their lead all the way to 30 points during the third quarter. Miami saw contributions from nearly every starter both offensively and defensively during the quarter. The Heat would take the 30-point lead into the fourth quarter.

Dragic would end up with a team-high 25 points as well as six rebounds and four assists. The veteran continued his strong play during Miami's big third quarter to help pad the lead. It was easily Dragic's best game of the series, and one of his finest since joining Miami.

Dwyane Wade had a relatively quiet game after his electric work in the final quarter of the previous game. Wade finished this one with 12 points to go along with six rebounds in 25 minutes.

Miami will face either the Indiana Pacers or Toronto Raptors in the second round. The teams are set for their own seventh game on Sunday evening. if the Raptors win, Miami will open up the series in Toronto. If Indiana wins, the Heat will have home-court advantage.

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