CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Erik Spoelstra continually stresses the NBA is no place for snap decisions. So at 3-4, the Miami Heat insist there is no panic.
Even with two losses to the Charlotte Hornets.
One to the Orlando Magic.
And another to the Sacramento Kings.
Instead of playing the anticipated level above such competition, the Heat failed to measure up Tuesday night at the Spectrum Center, falling 125-113 to the Hornets.
Amid the softest portion of their schedule, the Heat found themselves dealing with a 20-point deficit against Charlotte for the second time this season.
With the Heat's defense lacking and the starting perimeter players struggling, Charlotte took a 92-73 lead into the fourth quarter, after leading 65-55 at halftime.
Hassan Whiteside closed with 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Heat, with Dwyane Wade continuing his 3-point breakthrough with four on the way to 19 points. Wade scored 11 of the Heat's 19 first-half bench points.
For the second time in as many sets, Wade played both games in the back-to-back, again entering as the first reserve.
But while the Heat had to work for just about every point, the Hornets continually seized the moments at the rim, veteran point guard Tony Parker guiding the offense, with 24 points and 11 assists.
Whiteside recorded his fifth double-double in the season's first seven games, with a sense he could offer even more if given the reins to do more.
While there are plenty of similar talents in the Heat rotation, there are none who match what Whiteside can offer.
There now are three days off to recover in South Florida, before a return to the road Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks.
