Coby White credited defensive stops and transition play for Charlotte’s decisive 25-6 run to open the fourth quarter in Tuesday’s 136-106 victory over the Miami Heat at Spectrum Center.
“I think we started to get stops and getting out in transition… moving the ball and just making the right play,” White said. “It’s just infectious. The energy all comes together when you love playing with one another.”
The veteran guard highlighted the team’s emphasis on hustle plays and controlling the margins: “As soon as I got here, I noticed the coaching staff makes that a point of emphasis… just trying to create extra possessions and winning those 50-50 balls… Coach keeps it real about if we won those battles or not.”
White stressed the importance of focusing on the present during the playoff push: “You can’t just take these games for granted… every moment counts, every possession matters… you have to be in the present moment and do what you can.”
He described his own hot streak late in the third quarter, when he scored 11 straight points: “I just got into a rhythm. Obviously, I was on the court with Melo, which helped… the gravity he has creates a lot of open shots. I wanted to be aggressive and be myself in that moment.”
White also praised the Charlotte fan base for their energy and support: “It’s genuine happiness, genuine support… no matter what’s going on during the game, they’re always behind us… pushing us to make the next shot, make the next play. It’s been sold out, and it’s been jumping ever since I got here.”
Charlotte improved to 35-34, winning nine of their last 12 games, while Miami dropped to 38-31 without Bam Adebayo. LaMelo Ball added 30 points and 13 assists, and Kon Knueppel contributed 22 points as the Hornets dominated the fourth quarter 40-18.
White’s leadership and energy off the bench provided a spark in a game that also saw Brandon Miller score 16 and Miles Bridges record a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
The Hornets return to Spectrum Center on Thursday to face the Orlando Magic, aiming to maintain momentum during the final stretch of the 2024-25 season.
