The Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets face off in a high-stakes 2026 NBA Play-In Tournament elimination game on Tuesday night. With both teams' seasons on the line, the winner advances to a final play-in battle for the eighth seed, while the loser heads into the offseason.

The Heat, known for their trademark grit and playoff experience, enter this contest after winning the regular-season series 3-1. However, the Hornets delivered a statement victory in their most recent meeting, a dominant 136-106 win on March 17. Miami finished the season 43-39 but struggled on the road, while Charlotte's 44-38 record was bolstered by a solid 21-20 mark at home in the Spectrum Center.

Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET in Charlotte, where the Hornets are currently favored by 6 points. The over/under for total points is set at 230.5, suggesting oddsmakers anticipate a fast-paced, high-scoring affair typical of a win-or-go-home scenario.

Before locking in any predictions, it's worth noting that advanced models have been analyzing this matchup. One proven simulation model, which has a strong track record of success, has run this game 10,000 times to generate its picks and betting predictions for this critical play-in clash.