Heat vs Hornets: A Play-In Tournament Battle for Playoff Survival

The 2026 NBA postseason kicks off with the Play-In Tournament, and one of the most intriguing matchups sees the Charlotte Hornets and the Miami Heat battling for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. The stakes are high: the winner advances to face either the Orlando Magic or the Philadelphia 76ers, while the loser heads straight to the NBA Draft Lottery. This game is a must-win for both teams, promising a thrilling contest.

Eastern Conference Play-In: Hornets vs. Heat

Analysts are leaning towards the Hornets, citing their strong performance in recent months. While the Heat have historically been a formidable force, their recent form has been concerning. The Hornets, on the other hand, have been one of the league’s hottest teams since the All-Star break, boasting a top-tier offensive and defensive rating.

Expert Predictions & Odds

Here’s a breakdown of what the experts are saying:

• Odds: Hornets -6, Over/Under: 229.5
• Botkin: “Throw out the first couple months of the season, and Charlotte has been one of the better teams in the league. The Miami Heat… have not. It’s one-and-done, so anything can happen, but the Hornets are just a better team.”
• Gonzalez: “One team is playing pretty well right now, and the other team is Miami. The Heat lost 10 of their last 15 games to close the regular season. Meanwhile, the Hornets have been one of the hotter teams in the league since the All-Star Break.”
• Herbert: “It’s kind of crazy that Charlotte is in the play-in, given that it played at an elite level for most of the season. Crazy stuff can happen, but I trust the Hornets here.”
• Maloney: “Since Jan. 1, the Hornets have the fifth-best record in the league (33-16), the best offensive rating (120.7) and the best net rating (plus-10.5). The Heat, meanwhile, have lost 10 of their last 15 games.”
• Quinn: “The Hornets started the season 4-14 and have been among the best teams in the NBA ever since. The Heat didn’t exactly close the season on a high note.”
• Wimbish: “If you just take the last few months of the regular season, the Hornets have been one of the best teams in the league. Their high-powered offense, led by LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel, is a force to be reckoned with.”

Western Conference Play-In: Suns vs. Trail Blazers

In the West, the Phoenix Suns host the Portland Trail Blazers to determine the No. 7 seed. The winner will face the second-seeded Denver Nuggets and Victor Wembanyama in the first round, while the loser will have another chance to secure the No. 8 seed against either the Los Angeles Clippers or the Golden State Warriors.

Suns vs. Blazers: A Clash of Rising Teams

The Trail Blazers have shown resilience, winning 10 of their last 14 games, while the Suns have also exceeded expectations this season. This matchup promises to be a closely contested affair, with both teams eager to make a statement in the playoffs.

• Odds: Suns -3, Over/Under: 217.5
• Botkin: “Portland finished the season winning 10 of its last 14 games. Shaedon Sharpe is back, and everyone is healthy. This is a coin flip, but I’m going with the Blazers.”
• Gonzalez: “Two teams that exceeded expectations this season. The Blazers are also playing with house money.”
• Herbert: “Tough one. Portland’s defense is awesome, and this could be a real rock fight. When in doubt, go with the home team.”
• Maloney: “The Blazers won 10 of their last 15 games and closed the season in much better form than the Suns, but this game is in Phoenix.”
• Quinn: “Portland finally rediscovered its defense in the second half of the season.”
• Wimbish: “Who would’ve thought Dillon Brooks would be a non-All-Star All-Star this season? Portland’s defense is tough, but I have more faith in Devin Booker.”

Stay tuned for full coverage of the NBA Play-In Tournament!

Source: CBS Sports