An O-2 Deficit Puts the Heat on Miami

By the third quarter, frustrated fans were booing the home team. Early in the fourth quarter, they were streaming for the exits.

It was all an improbable repeat of Game 1 Monday night as the Charlotte Hornets earned another 26-point victory over the errant Heat, winning, 102-76, at Miami for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

Jamal Mashburn again tormented his former team and fans, trading barbs with Tim Hardaway and Dan Majerle, sticking out his tongue at hecklers in the crowd and scoring 22 points. David Wesley added 18 and Baron Davis 17.

“Everybody else has been a little surprised; we haven’t,” Mashburn said. “We’re a loose bunch and a close-knit group. That comes alive in the playoffs.”

Charlotte broke open Saturday’s 106-80 victory with a 20-2 run to start the second half. This time it was a 24-5 run after halftime to make the score 78-57.

Charlotte held Miami to seven points in the third quarter--a franchise playoff record for both teams.

“Are we really playing that bad, or are they playing that good?” Miami forward Anthony Mason said. “I don’t know.”

Game 3 is Friday at Charlotte, where Miami is 0-2 this season.

Five teams have overcome 0-2 deficits to win a best-of-five series.

Miami point guard Tim Hardaway, bothered by a bruised left foot, was booed loudly while scoring two points. Alonzo Mourning, suffering back spasms, had nine points and four rebounds. Eddie Jones led the Heat with 21 points.

San Antonio 86, Minnesota 69--Tim Duncan had 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Spurs to a 2-0 lead in the series.

The Timberwolves’ shooting percentage, 33.8, was one-tenth of a percent off their all-time low during the playoffs, and they committed 20 turnovers.

Game 3 will be Saturday at Minneapolis.