Round 1, Game 7:
Heat have home-court advantage against Hornets
Heat will either extend season, or end it.
MIAMI— In away, this one is easier. What the MiamiHeat faced Friday was far more difficult. They had towait around hours before beginning an elimination game against the Charlotte Hornets on their home floor. There was too much time to think, too much time for the nerves to build.
At least the next challenge is somewhat less agonizing. The stakes are the same, but a 1 p.m. tip- off at AmericanAirlines Arena is a tad more comforting. Well, as comforting as a winnerGame 7 can be.
“I think [Friday] was a nightmare for everybody, just waiting for the game, an 8 o’clock tip,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “So we might as well get the thing started off early.”
After losing three consecutive games in the series, theHeatwonGame6 andnowhave the opportunity to avoid blowing a 2-0 lead. This is the12th time the franchise has appeared in a Game 7, with the last coming against the San Antonio Spurs in the 2013NBA Finals.
“I’m looking forward to it,” forward Joe Johnson said. “I think Game 7s are fun, especially if you’re the home team and you’re getting the chance to play in your building with a hostile environment. I’m looking forward to it. It seems, though, every year, I’m always playing in a Game 7.”
Johnson last played in the pressure-packed situation two years ago as a member of the Brooklyn Nets, who defeated the Toronto Raptors in the first round. While Johnson is a veteran, one newcomer could miss his first experience. Rookie Josh Richardson is listed