How to watch Heat vs. Hornets: Live stream, TV channel, start time for Friday’s NBA game

Through 3 Quarters

The Miami Heat were expected to win this one, and so far that’s exactly how it’s playing out. They have emerged as the frontrunner after three quarters and are ahead of the Charlotte Hornets 84-75.

Small forward Jimmy Butler (24 points) has been the top scorer for the Heat. Charlotte has been relying on small forward Gordon Hayward, who has 16 points and four assists along with four boards, and small forward Kelly Oubre Jr., who has 15 points in addition to four rebounds.

This is the least points the Hornets have had yet this year going into the fourth quarter.

Who’s Playing

Charlotte @ Miami

Current Records: Charlotte 4-1; Miami 3-1

What to Know

The Miami Heat and the Charlotte Hornets are set to square off in a Southeast Division matchup at 7:30 p.m. ET Oct. 29 at FTX Arena. These two teams come into the contest bolstered by wins in their previous games.

The Heat strolled past the Brooklyn Nets with points to spare on Wednesday, taking the game 106-93. Miami’s small forward Jimmy Butler filled up the stat sheet, posting a double-double on 17 points and 14 rebounds in addition to seven dimes. This also makes it three games in a row in which Jimmy G Buckets has had at least three steals.

Meanwhile, Charlotte beat the Orlando Magic 120-111 on Wednesday. Small forward Gordon Hayward and small forward Miles Bridges were among the main playmakers for Charlotte as the former had 24 points and five assists along with five boards and the latter shot 5-for-10 from beyond the arc and finished with 31 points and six boards.

Miami is the favorite in this one, with an expected 6.5-point margin of victory. Those interested in the spread don’t face an easy decision since they are 3-1 ATS and Charlotte 4-1.

The wins brought the Heat up to 3-1 and the Hornets to 4-1. Two stats to keep in the back of your head while watching: Miami ranks first in the league when it comes to points allowed per game, with only 95 on average. But Charlotte enters the matchup with 121.2 points per game on average, which is the best in the league. We’ll see which of these strengths — offense or defense — will win out.

How To Watch

• When: Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where: FTX Arena — Miami, Florida
• TV: ESPN
• Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
• Follow: CBS Sports App
• Ticket Cost: $33.00

Odds

The Heat are a solid 6.5-point favorite against the Hornets, according to the latest NBA odds.

The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Heat as a 6-point favorite.

Over/Under: -110

See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.

Series History

Miami have won 16 out of their last 28 games against Charlotte.

• May 02, 2021 – Miami 121 vs. Charlotte 111
• Mar 26, 2021 – Charlotte 110 vs. Miami 105
• Feb 01, 2021 – Charlotte 129 vs. Miami 121
• Mar 11, 2020 – Charlotte 109 vs. Miami 98
• Nov 25, 2019 – Miami 117 vs. Charlotte 100
• Mar 17, 2019 – Miami 93 vs. Charlotte 75
• Mar 06, 2019 – Miami 91 vs. Charlotte 84
• Oct 30, 2018 – Charlotte 125 vs. Miami 113
• Oct 20, 2018 – Charlotte 113 vs. Miami 112
• Jan 27, 2018 – Miami 95 vs. Charlotte 91
• Jan 20, 2018 – Miami 106 vs. Charlotte 105
• Dec 15, 2017 – Miami 104 vs. Charlotte 98
• Dec 01, 2017 – Miami 105 vs. Charlotte 100
• Apr 05, 2017 – Miami 112 vs. Charlotte 99
• Mar 08, 2017 – Miami 108 vs. Charlotte 101
• Dec 29, 2016 – Charlotte 91 vs. Miami 82
• Oct 28, 2016 – Charlotte 97 vs. Miami 91
• May 01, 2016 – Miami 106 vs. Charlotte 73
• Apr 29, 2016 – Miami 97 vs. Charlotte 90
• Apr 27, 2016 – Charlotte 90 vs. Miami 88
• Apr 25, 2016 – Charlotte 89 vs. Miami 85
• Apr 23, 2016 – Charlotte 96 vs. Miami 80
• Apr 20, 2016 – Miami 115 vs. Charlotte 103
• Apr 17, 2016 – Miami 123 vs. Charlotte 91
• Mar 17, 2016 – Charlotte 109 vs. Miami 106
• Feb 05, 2016 – Miami 98 vs. Charlotte 95
• Dec 09, 2015 – Charlotte 99 vs. Miami 81
• Oct 28, 2015 – Miami 104 vs. Charlotte 94

Injury Report for Miami

• Kyle Lowry: Game-Time Decision (Elbow)
• Bam Adebayo: Game-Time Decision (Knee)
• Victor Oladipo: Out (Quadriceps)

Injury Report for Charlotte

• Terry Rozier: Game-Time Decision (Ankle)
• P.J. Washington: Game-Time Decision (Knee)