Hornets vs. Heat: Game 7 Score and Twitter Reaction from 2016 NBA Playoffs

The Miami Heat’s experience and talent showed during Sunday’s 106-73 victory over the Charlotte Hornets in Game 7 of the teams’ opening-round playoff series at American Airlines Arena.

Heat face of the franchise Dwyane Wade came through in the clutch in Game 6 on Friday to help position Miami for Sunday’s opportunity, but in the decisive showdown of the series, his supporting cast carried him out to a large degree.

After averaging only 12.3 points per game on 37.3 percent shooting in the six prior contests this series, Heat point guard Goran Dragic finished with a game-high 25 points and sparked the Heat’s 29-18 opening quarter with eight points.

When it appeared as though the Hornets were clawing their way back, Hassan Whiteside made a massive block, leading to a dazzling Dragic spin move, which stymied Charlotte’s momentum and pushed the Miami advantage to 44-35:

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Courtney Lee, who nailed the game-winning three late in Game 5 on Wednesday, helped keep the Hornets in striking distance with five straight points thereafter and made all five of his shots before the break.

Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer applauded Hornets head coach Steve Clifford’s faith in his team:

Clifford let his team play through with no timeout after that block/Dragic fast break. Hornets rebounded. I would have called TO. He knows

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) May 1, 2016

By the time the first half ended, though, the hosts had stretched their edge to 54-42, with Dragic leading all scorers with 17 points.

Complex Sports reacted to Dragic’s form:

Goran Dragic rn pic.twitter.com/2c9e03BWew

— Complex Sports (@Complex_Sports) May 1, 2016

NBA Players Association writer Jared Zwerling noted how valuable Dragic’s performance was:

Great Heat focus & Dragic’s mentality to be extra aggressive, making Wade more off the ball to conserve him for 2nd half & maybe next round.

— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) May 1, 2016

The Heat floor general’s hot start …

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