GAMETHREAD: Miami Heat (3-0) host Charlotte Hornets (1-1) in preseason

GAME STORY

The Miami Heat (3-0) are at the midway point of the preseason and will host the Charlotte Hornets tonight at the FTX Arena at 7:30pm.

After sitting out several players in their last game, a victory against the host San Antonio Spurs on Friday, coach Erik Spoelstra may choose to have another look at the regular season rotation and play his starters — at least during the first half. Jimmy Butler was a late scratch with a head cold. In his place, Caleb Martin will start and face off against his identical twin Cody.

Duncan Robinson will look to get back on track after a scoreless performance in San Antonio, though he may rest considering he was the Heat’s lone regular starter that played. Given how few games Robinson’s missed during his NBA career, I wouldn’t count on it however.

Charlotte began the preseason with a 113-97 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder but then were blown out 128-98 courtesy of the Memphis Grizzlies. They will be without key players Gordon Hayward and Mason Plumlee due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols as well as starter Terry Rozier.

HEAT VS HORNETS: MONDAY, OCTOBER 11 AT 7:30 P.M.

INJURIES

MIAMI:

• Victor Oladipo - out (knee; surgery rehab)
• Jimmy Butler - out (head; cold-like symptoms)
• KZ Okpala - out (right Achilles; inflammation)

CHARLOTTE:

• Mason Plumlee - out (COVID-19 health and safety protocols)
• Gordon Hayward - out (COVID-19 health and safety protocols)
• Kelly Oubre Jr. - out (right ankle sprain)
• Terry Rozier - out (left ankle)

LINEUPS

BROADCAST INFO

TV: BALLY SPORTS SUN, NBA LEAGUE PASS
RADIO: The Ticket 790AM & The HEAT Radio Network (Jason Jackson, Ruth Riley Hunter)
SPANISH RADIO: WAQI 710AM & The HEAT Spanish Radio Network (José Pañeda, Joe Pujala)