The Miami Heat topped the New Orleans Hornets 106-90 tonight to snap a two-game skid and improve to 13-5. Let's see why the Heat were able to win this game tonight.

 

1. They shot the lights out

Miami shot 58 percent from the floor tonight, including 7-of-11 from three. Talk about impressive. Dwyane Wade went 9-for-12, and LeBron James hit on 11 of his 16 shot attempts. It was a rough night for Chris Bosh, as he went 4-of-11 from the floor and missed three dunks, but luckily, his offense wasn't needed.

 

2. Defensive intensity

After surrendering 32 points in the first quarter, the Heat buckled down for the rest of the game. Early on, it looked like more of the same from the Miami defense, rotating over on shooters late and letting opposing bigs score at will inside, but the Heat cranked it up over the final three quarters. There are still some areas that need improvement, as Robin Lopez did drop 20 points on them inside, but overall, this was a big step forward for a Miami ballclub that has been struggling defensively.

 

3. Making runs at key points

There were several times when the Hornets were creeping back into the game, only for the Heat to go on one of their patented bursts to put the game out of reach again. This was especially the case late when New Orleans cut it to eight, but Miami then took off and ended up winning by 16. 

 

4. Forced turnovers

The Heat made the Hornets turn the ball over 19 times, and for New Orleans, that's the last thing you want to do against a Miami team that loves to get out in the open court and score points in transition. Sloppiness doomed the Hornets in the second quarter.