CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Interstat) — A pivotal Eastern Conference matchup with playoff implications is set for Friday when the Charlotte Hornets host the Miami Heat at Spectrum Center. Both teams enter the contest with momentum, but heading in opposite directions geographically. The Heat (33-29) arrive after a 124-98 home rout of Brooklyn on Tuesday. The Hornets (32-31), meanwhile, are riding a five-game winning streak, capped by a stunning 118-89 road victory in Boston on Wednesday. The season series has been decisively one-sided so far, with Miami winning both prior meetings in blowout fashion: 144-117 on Oct. 28 and 126-108 on Nov. 7. A key battle will be in the frontcourt between Miami’s Bam Adebayo and Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate. Adebayo is coming off a 23-point, 9-rebound performance against the Nets and has averaged 21.3 points and 10.1 rebounds over his last 10 games. Diabate has been a catalyst for Charlotte’s surge, providing versatile defense and rebounding. Over the last five games, he has averaged 10.4 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Miami’s recent form has been inconsistent, going 6-4 over its last 10 games with notable wins but double-digit losses to Milwaukee and Philadelphia. Charlotte’s current streak, which includes wins over Dallas, Portland, Indiana and Chicago by an average margin of 28.2 points, has propelled them to just one game behind Miami in the standings. The Hornets have been installed as a 5-point favorite by FanDuel Sportsbook, with the total set at 230.5 points. For Miami, Jaime Jaquez Jr. (20 points vs. Brooklyn) and rookie Kel’el Ware (11 points, 13 rebounds) provided strong support last time out. Charlotte’s offense has been balanced during its run, with Brandon Miller and Coby White supplying consistent scoring alongside Diabate’s all-around play. The outcome could significantly impact the postseason picture, with both teams jockeying for position ahead of their next meeting, scheduled for March 17, also in Charlotte.