LaMelo's OT layup wins it

Charlotte is still alive after LaMelo Ball scored on a driving layup with 4.7 seconds left in overtime, lifting the Hornets past Miami 127-126 on Tuesday, April 14. (espn.com) Miles Bridges sealed the result at the horn by blocking Davion Mitchell’s layup attempt, ending Miami’s season in the first Eastern Conference elimination game of the play-in tournament. (nba.com) Ball finished with 30 points and 10 assists, and Bridges added 28 points and nine rebounds for Charlotte in a game that swung again after Coby White forced overtime with a tying three-pointer late in regulation. (espn.com) The play-in gives teams that finish seventh through 10th one last route into the playoffs. Charlotte entered as the East’s No. 9 seed at 44-38, while Miami came in No. 10 at 43-39, so Tuesday’s matchup was a straight elimination game. (espn.com) That win moves the Hornets into another do-or-die game on Friday, April 17, against the loser of the Wednesday, April 15 game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic. The winner of Friday’s game takes the Eastern Conference’s No. 8 playoff seed. (nba.com) For Charlotte, the result also ended a long wait at home. The Hornets won their first postseason home game in a decade, according to the Associated Press game report carried by NBA.com. (nba.com) Miami’s loss closes the book on a season in which the Heat finished one game behind Charlotte in the standings and had to win on the road just to extend their year. Tuesday’s defeat left them out of the playoff bracket entirely. (espn.com) Charlotte’s next step is simple: win again on Friday, April 17, or the season ends there too. Ball’s last layup only bought the Hornets one more night with a playoff spot on the line. (cbssports.com)