NBA teams
Justin Verrier, ESPN Staff Writer 8y

Nicolas Batum (foot) to miss Game 4 vs. Heat

NBA, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Nicolas Batum of the Charlotte Hornets will miss a second straight game of the team's first-round series against the Miami Heat with a left foot strain.

Batum was held out of the Hornets' regular-season finale with a left ankle sprain and reinjured his foot in the fourth quarter of Game 2 in Miami.

He was upgraded to questionable on Sunday after missing Saturday's Game 3 victory, but Hornets coach Steve Clifford said Batum was unable to participate in the shootaround ahead of Game 4.

"That's just NBA basketball," Clifford said. "I think our guys are good. We've had more than our share of injuries all year and they've had the right attitude. In this league, you get up in the morning, you say, 'Who's good to play today?' and you play the best you can with that team.

"Obviously we proved we have more than enough to win. We'll have to play well. We wish we had him. But the biggest thing is to play well. We've have to be locked in."

Clifford said he will stick with the same starting lineup he used in Game 3: Kemba Walker, Courtney Lee, Marvin Williams, Frank Kaminsky and Al Jefferson.

Batum averaged career highs of 14.9 points and 5.8 assists, along with 6.1 rebounds in 35 minutes per game, during the regular season. He's averaging 16.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in two playoff games.

The Heat lead the series 2-1.

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