The Charlotte Hornets didn't subject the Heat to another 26-point pasting. Instead, they merely ensured Miami of its worst start in Pat Riley's six-plus years as coach.

Charlotte's 96-87 win Friday pushed the Heat (2-7) five games below .500 for the first time since March 1996, Riley's first season. Not even a career night from center Vladimir Stepania could prevent the undermanned Heat from losing its fifth straight for the first time since January 1996. As in New York a night earlier, the Heat wilted late.

It wasn't surprising, considering three players (Stepania, Eddie Jones and Eddie House) played more than 40 minutes for the second straight night.

``Two nights in a row . . .'' Riley said. ``It's very discouraging. It gets to crunch time and we miss 10 shots in a row.''

Charlotte, which whipped the Heat by 26 points in each of its two playoff games in Miami in April, outscored Miami 15-6 in the final 8:03. The Heat, which entered the fourth tied at 73, scored 14 points in the final quarter, a night after mustering eight in the fourth against the Knicks.

Riley started House alongside Anthony Carter to match up with the Hornets' quickness. Just like they did in April's playoff series, the Hornets' guards had their way in the second half, with David Wesley scoring 16 of his 21, and Baron Davis scoring 15 of his 23.