By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 00:36 GMT, 24 March 2025 | Updated: 00:36 GMT, 24 March 2025
MIAMI (AP) - Andrew Wiggins scored 42 points for the second-highest scoring game of his career, Tyler Herro added 29 and the Miami Heat beat the Charlotte Hornets 122-105 on Sunday night to snap a 10-game losing streak.
Wiggins had the most points by a Heat player this season - Herro had 40 three times - and finished five shy of his career high of 47, done Nov. 13, 2016, for Minnesota against the Los Angeles Lakers.
He'll face his former team, Golden State, on Tuesday for the first time since getting traded to Miami last month.
Nick Smith Jr. scored 19 and LaMelo Ball had 18 points and 11 assists for Charlotte, which led by 12 early but were eliminated from postseason contention. The Hornets haven't made the playoffs since 2016 - a seven-game Round 1 loss to Miami.
Hornets: It was the second time this season that Charlotte led a game by at least 12 before getting into a 20-point deficit. The other was Dec. 5 at New York, when the Hornets led by 13 before getting down by 28 and losing 125-101.
Heat: Nikola Jovic, who has missed Miami's last 15 games over the last four weeks with a broken bone in his right hand, is awaiting full clearance. "He's doing all the conditioning. He´s doing all the weight room work that he can do," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.
Charlotte Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr. (8) defends Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Miami closed the half on a 24-4 run, shooting 10 of 14 over the final 7:05 before intermission. Charlotte shot 1 for 12 in that stretch.
The 10-game slide tied the sixth-longest in Heat history (with streaks of 17, 15, 13, 12 and 11 ahead of it, and two other 10-game streaks).
Charlotte hosts Orlando on Tuesday. Miami stays home Tuesday for a matchup against Jimmy Butler and Golden State.
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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) fouls Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith (24) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) dribbles the ball as Charlotte Hornets guard KJ Simpson (25) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) and Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) go after the basketball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Charlotte Hornets guards DaQuan Jeffries (3) and LaMelo Ball (1) defend Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee talks to forward Tidjane Salaun and guard Nick Smith Jr. (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) drives to the basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Charlotte Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr. (8) defends Miami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (55) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra gestures during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (45) drives to the basket as Charlotte Hornets guard Nick Smith Jr. (8) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)