LaMelo's OT dagger
LaMelo Ball hit the go‑ahead bucket in overtime as the Charlotte Hornets beat the Miami Heat to secure a play‑in spot, capped by Mikal Bridges' game‑saving block. The win came in a tense play‑in night that ESPN called one of the early postseason highlights, with the Hornets surviving in extra time to force the next round (x.com) (nytimes.com).
Charlotte stayed alive on April 14 by beating Miami 127-126 in overtime, with LaMelo Ball’s layup putting the Hornets ahead for good. (espn.com) Ball scored 30 points and handed out 10 assists, then drove for the go-ahead basket with 4.7 seconds left in overtime at Spectrum Center. Miles Bridges finished with 28 points and nine rebounds. (nba.com) Miami still had one last chance, but Bridges blocked Davion Mitchell’s layup attempt at the buzzer to end the Heat’s season. Mitchell led Miami with 28 points in the loss. (espn.com) The game was the Eastern Conference 9-versus-10 play-in matchup, so the loser was eliminated and the winner moved on to one more game for the No. 8 seed. Charlotte advanced while Miami was knocked out on April 14. (nba.com) Charlotte’s win also pushed the franchise one step closer to its first playoff berth since 2016. The Hornets had not won a postseason home game in 10 years before Tuesday night. (nba.com) The Hornets were the No. 9 seed at 44-38, and the Heat arrived as the No. 10 seed at 43-39. Charlotte earned home court for the play-in by finishing one game better in the regular season. (espn.com) The teams traded control all night, with Miami leading 54-52 at halftime before Charlotte won the third quarter 37-29 and the game stayed tied after regulation. Overtime ended with Charlotte scoring 13 points to Miami’s 12. (espn.com) Brandon Miller added 23 points for Charlotte, and Coby White scored 19 off the bench, including 14 in the third quarter. Kel’el Ware had 19 rebounds for Miami. (nba.com) Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said after the loss that his players “felt like they were worthy to win tonight,” but “we just didn’t win the game.” Charlotte now heads to Friday’s final play-in game for the East’s last playoff spot. (espn.com)
