Heat rookie's impact on win in Charlotte should not be overlooked

With the Miami Heat on the verge of blowing a massive lead Wednesday night against the Charlotte Hornets, Kel'el Ware was intentionally fouled with the Heat up two after Cody Martin missed two free throws with a chance to tie the game.

Ware stepped up to the line for the first free throws of his career and sunk both attempts with ease to seal the game for Miami who escaped Charlotte with a 98-94 win.

This was a nerve-wracking sequence for Heat Nation as Miami has struggled mightily from the free throw line this season, ranking bottom ten in free throw percentage as a team. There have been multiple missed free throws missed this season by the Heat that have put them in tougher predicaments with Wednesday's game being a prime example.

After Tyler Herro followed up his huge three with a clutch steal, Herro stepped up to the line with the chance to boost the lead to three. Instead, Herro, one of the Heat's most consisent free throw shooters, missed one and put the Heat in a situation where a three could lose the game.

Overall, the Heat shot 81.8 percent from the free throw line against the Hornets, which is a number they need to consistently be at or higher. The Heat are nearly ranked in the top 10 when it comes to free throws attempted, and shooting closer to or over 80 percent could be a huge boost.

With the Heat already struggling at making shots around the rim, Miami can't afford to struggle in another area where they get their most clean looks which is at the free throw line. The Heat can point to the Milwaukee Bucks and the Sacramento Kings game as two prime examples where missed free throws came back to haunt them.

If the Heat want to go on a run and not continue to look back on games they should have won due to points left off the board, the team's free throw shooting has to turn around quickly with a tough slate ahead that features games against Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers.