NBA: Kyle Lowry, Miami Heat battle back to beat Charlotte Hornets 111-107 in 2OT

Kyle Lowry scored 12 of his 25 points after regulation and the Miami Heat entered the All-Star break tied for the Eastern Conference lead, rallying to beat the Charlotte Hornets 111-107 in double overtime Thursday night.

Duncan Robinson added 21 points for Miami, and Jimmy Butler overcame a horrendous shooting night to make clutch jumpers in the second overtime period to finish with 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

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Miami has won six of their last seven games, tying the Chicago Bulls for the best record in the East at 38-21.

Miles Bridges had 29 points and 11 rebounds for Charlotte, and LaMelo Ball added 14 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds before fouling out in the second overtime. The Hornets limped into the All-Star break having lost eight of its last nine games to fall to 29-31. Montrezl Harrell added 24 points and eight rebounds off the bench.

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The Heat trailed by 14 after Harrell scored seven straight points to open the fourth quarter.

But Miami pulled back to tie it behind three 3s from Robinson and had a chance to win it in regulation, but Butler’s jump shot bounds away.

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Both teams had a chance to win it in the first overtime.

With Charlotte trailing by one, Harrell was fouled in the paint with 1.7 seconds left. He made the first to tie the game, but the Hornets newcomer missed the second. Miami called timeout to set up a play for Butler, but his corner 3 was partially deflected by P.J. Washington.

In the second overtime, Miami led by three when Ball fouled out with 2:10 left.

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That’s when Butler, who was just 3 of 22 from the field at the time, buried a mid-range jumper and a 3-pointer to give the Heat some breathing room. Charlotte rallied to cut the lead to two behind two big plays from Bridges, but Lowry scored on a backdoor layup and Bam Adebayo blocked Kelly Oubre’s 3-point attempt to seal the win.

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Tip-Ins

Heat: Played without Tyler Herro, Dewayne Dedmon and Caleb Martin.

Hornets: Gordon Hayward, Jalen McDaniels and Cody Martin remained out with injuries. … LaMelo Ball received his money ball before the game for making the NBA All-Star Game.

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Up next

Heat: At New York on Friday, Feb. 25.

Hornets: Host Toronto on Friday, Feb. 25.