Heat Torch the Hornets in First Game of Series 123-91

The Miami Heat set a team record for points in a playoff game in their Game 1 blowout of the Charlotte Hornets. The team got off to a quick start, scoring 41 points on the Hornets in the first quarter alone.

The Heat were led by forward Luol Deng, Who contributed 31 points in Miami’s rout of Charlotte. Deng, who celebrated his 31st birthday on Saturday, can also celebrate setting a franchise record in point scored in a playoff debut.

Heat head coach Eric Spoelstra noted that Deng has stepped up as a leader for the team recently.

Deng wasn’t the only Heat player to play well, with center Hassan White side collecting a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds and guard Goran Dragic coming close with nine points and 10 assists.

Another one. pic.twitter.com/WuNp5Ne9WU

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) April 17, 2016

Dragic attributes the Heats overwhelming success in game one to simply sticking to, and executing the game plan.

Nicolas Batum and Kemba Walker led the hornets with 24 and 19 points respectively. Scoring wasn’t the issue the Hornets has, with the Heat out-rebounding Charlotte by 14 boards and out-assisting them by 16 dimes.

Despite the big win, the Heat still have to continue to play strong through the rest of the series if they want to play the winner of the Pacers-Raptors series in round 2. Game 2 of this series is set for Wednesday night at 7 p.m.