Hassan Whiteside and Dwight Howard (Photo : Getty Images/Scott Haleran)
The Miami Heat are in danger of being eliminated after suffering a heartbreaking defeat against the Charlotte Hornets in game five of their 1st round playoff match-up. With the sudden turn of events, center Hassan Whiteside might start to look somewhere else.
The Heat and Hornets went toe to toe as no team let the other to lead by more than double digits which resulted to a highly contested finish. The Heat were leading before the Hornets' Nicolas Batum started hitting threes that put them up by one. However, the dagger was Courtney Lee's which put them up, 90-88.
The Heat had the chance to tie or take the lead but star Dwyane Wade was not able to convert on a lay-up, which was argued as a foul. In the end, the Hornets capitalized in their last possession to seal the victory.
Head coach Eric Spoelstra was upset that the referees did not make the call as it was apparent that there was contact between Wade and forward Cody Zeller.
"Look, it never is decided by those plays, but from my vantage point Dwyane certainly looked like he got fouled," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told ESPN in a post-game interview.
Now, the Heat should win game six to force a game seven but it would not be easy as it will take place on the Hornets' home court. Should the Heat lose, center Hassan Whiteside will have to start thinking where he would go next earlier than expected.
The Heat's starting center will be an unrestricted free agent once this season is over. Multiple teams have expressed their interest on the towering big man. The Heat are still finding ways to sign Whiteside without paying too much luxury tax.
The Lakers are said to be one of the frontrunners to land the center. They have the cap space to lure the center their way plus the talent to surround him as well, CBS Sports reported. In fact, when Whiteside heard that the team is interested in him, he was surprised but at the same time, pleased with what he heard.
Here are the highlights of game five between the Miami Heat versus the Charlotte Hornets.
