The Miami Heat came close to coming back on Wednesday but ultimately ran out of time in their 78-76 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
Charlotte held a six-point advantage at the half and led by ten going into the final quarter. The loss dropped Miami to 18-24 on the year but it stayed in seventh place in the conference. The team right behind the Heat is the Hornets and they are now only a half game back.
Efficient shooting was not found in this contest on either side. Miami shot only 34.5% from the field while Charlotte countered with 33.8% shooting of its own.
Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh had 17 points each. The duo went a combined 15 of 41 on their attempts as they took nearly half of Miami's shots. Wade added seven rebounds and four assists as well as two steals. Bosh also had seven boards and a block in his 34 minutes.
The Heat were without the services of Luol Deng and Hassan Whiteside who both stayed back in Miami. Whiteside suffered a sprained right ankle in Tuesday's loss while Deng is battling an illness. Both players could return in Miami's next game.
With the depleted starting lineup, the Heat turned to Danny Granger and Chris Andersen. Both men played 20 minutes and did not contribute much. Andersen who only recently lost the starting gig had six points and four rebounds. Granger had only three points but did pick up a steal.
The Heat will take a day off and resume the schedule on Friday against the Indiana Pacers back home in Miami.
