The Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat meet Tuesday in NBA preseason action at the Kaseya Center. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Charlotte Hornets Betting Preview

The Charlotte Hornets won 27 games last year and are still looking for their first playoff trip since 2015-16. Coach Steve Clifford is back for a second season in his second stint. The Hornets watch Kelly Oubre, Jr. and Dennis Smith leave, while they drafted Brandon Miller with the second overall pick and take a shot on Frank Ntilikina. Miller living up to his draft selection out the gate would be ideal for the Hornets, as the talent is there. LaMelo Ball is talented, but he can only do so much to carry this squad. Other players like Terry Rozier, PJ Washington and Gordon Hayward are pretty much who they are at this stage. Miller blossoming is kind of make or break for the Hornets season and probably their future. 

Miami Heat Betting Preview

The Miami Heat are coming off their second final trip in the last 4 years and enter year 16 under coach Erik Spoelstra. The Heat weren’t able to land Damian Lillard, and they watched Gabe Vincent and Max Strus leave in free agency, so some are a bit down on them this season. However, the Heat made some underrated moves by snagging Thomas Bryant and Josh Richardson while drafting Jaime Jaquez, Jr. Guys like Tyler Herro and Nikola Jovic put in a lot of work this offseason and Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo is still one of the best duos in the league. Yes, a big three with Dame would’ve put the Heat over the top, but I wouldn’t sleep on this squad that seems to overachieve year after year.

Trends

The Hornets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games and 4-11-2 ATS in their last 17 Tuesday games. The under is 24-7 in Hornets last 31 overall. The under is 8-1 in Heat last 9 overall. The over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in Miami and 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.

Randy’s Free Pick

I’m not somebody who likes laying decent sized chalk in preseason games where a lot of these games are coin flips, but I have little confidence in the Charlotte Hornets outside of a couple of players. The Miami Heat may sit some of their older players, including Jimmy Butler, but they’re one of those teams that plays hard regardless if the game counts or not. Preseason, summer league or NBA Finals, the Heat are a competitive franchise that only knows one thing. Heat players also know, regardless of draft position, they can earn a spot on the team if they work hard and that produces results. Give me the Heat and the chalk.