Lowry, Heat battle back to beat Hornets in 2OT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — 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 two clutch jumpers in the second overtime period and finish with 15 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

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

“It’s been fun," Lowry said the team's play. “We have a great group and a bunch of guys who want to win games.”

Butler celebrated an exhausting win by sipping on a Michelob Ultra at the podium while sitting alongside Lowry and Bam Adebayo.

“I felt great,” Butler said. “A dub is a dub.”

Added Adebayo: “We have been playing great basketball and we are number one in the East, so I can't be too mad.”

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.

“Yeah, we need this (break)," Hornets coach James Borrego said. "It will be great for us, get away from everything and just refresh and get ready for that final stretch run. Try to get some healthy bodies and get guys back and ready to go.”

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