MIAMI, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Backcourt mates Baron Davis and David Wesley produced big games Friday night, helping the Charlotte Hornets hand the Miami Heat their fifth straight loss, 96-87.
Miami managed just 14 points in the fourth quarter.
After Thursday night's loss in New York, Miami coach Pat Riley complained about the officiating, calling it "an absolute injustice." The Heat shot 26 free throws in this one, six more than the Hornets, but were not able to turn them into a win.
Miami has lost five in a row for the first time since Jan. 8-15, 1996. A little over a month later, Riley made three trades involving 10 players that allowed him to build the Heat into a perennial contender.
The Heat again were without injured big men Alonzo Mourning and Brian Grant. Reserve center Sean Marks was out with the flu, leaving the pivot duties to Vladimir Stepania, who had the game of his life with 19 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks.
However, the Hornets overpowered the Heat much the same way they did in the first round of last season's playoffs, when they won three games by a combined 67 points.
