Miami Heat vs Charlotte Hornets: Recap, Notes and Quotes

Oct 4, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh (1) drives to the basket as Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Zeller (40) looks on during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Heat offered an intriguing look at this season’s potential in its preseason opening loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

With windmill dunks, behind-the-back passes, fast breaks and the return of some fan favorites, the Miami Heat brought energy back to AmericanAirlines Arena in the opening game of the preseason for what feels like the first time since the conclusion of the Big Three era.

Chris Bosh made his triumphant return to the hardwood for his first action since being hospitalized with blood clots on his lung, and led the Heat with 14 points, seven rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes. Fellow veteran Dwyane Wade showed up too, scoring 12 points in 22 minutes.

The Heat’s starting unit looked solid after getting off to a slow start, but it was the influx of its interesting bench that energized the team. Josh McRoberts came in and immediately made a name for himself as a playmakers, finding teammates from the elbow, driving to the basket and kicking it out and throwing a few behind-the-back passes. It’s the kind of playmaking the Heat haven’t had from the forward spot since, well, y’know.

The Heat were not without their flaws (we’ll get to that), but overall the game was a positive sign of an organization prepared to live up to the hype of a successful off-season.