NBA: Late OT heroics lift Hornets over Heat in play-in game

LaMelo Ball delivered a clutch go-ahead layup with just 4.7 seconds remaining, and Miles Bridges blocked Davion Mitchell's buzzer-beater attempt, leading the Charlotte Hornets to a 127-126 overtime victory over the visiting Miami Heat on Tuesday night. The win allowed Charlotte to advance in the play-in tournament.

Ball finished the game with 30 points, while Bridges contributed 28 points, helping the Hornets secure the victory. The game went into overtime after Coby White drained one of his five 3-pointers with 10.8 seconds left in regulation, tying the game at 116-all.

"He's been huge since he got here," said Hornets head coach Charles Lee about White's performance. "He showed who he is again tonight in a big moment, in a win-or-go-home game. He didn't have a great first half, but he continued to stick with it and came up with big plays down the stretch."

Brandon Miller added 23 points for Charlotte, while White finished with 19. Moussa Diabate had a solid performance with eight points and 14 rebounds.

The Hornets will next face the loser of Wednesday's match between the seventh-place Philadelphia 76ers and the eighth-place Orlando Magic, with a chance to meet the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

"It just shows the character of the team at the end of the day," Lee said. "Execution is not always going to be perfect, but these guys find a way to stick with it. ... And that winning effort and competitiveness and togetherness to come up with a big-time block at the end of the game just shows who we are."

Miami’s Mitchell led the Heat with 28 points, and Andrew Wiggins chipped in with 27. Heat center Bam Adebayo was forced to exit the game early in the second quarter after a hard fall. Adebayo appeared to injure his lower back after a play where Ball seemed to swipe at his foot. Adebayo did not return to the game, and Miami coach Erik Spoelstra voiced his frustration with the play, calling it "dangerous" and "a stupid play."

"I don't think it's cute. I don't think it's funny. I think it's a stupid play," Spoelstra said. "It's a dangerous play. He should be penalized for that. I don't think that belongs in the game, tripping guys. Somebody has got to see that. He should have been thrown out of the game for that."

Ball, however, denied any intention to injure Adebayo, apologizing after the game. "I apologize for that one," Ball said. "I got hit in the head, didn't really know where I was, but I'm going to check on him and see if he is OK."

In addition to Mitchell and Wiggins, Heat players Tyler Herro scored 23 points, Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 13, Kel'el Ware finished with 12 points and 19 rebounds, and Norman Powell contributed 11. Despite Miami's strong effort, their season ended in a heartbreaking loss, a game that featured 17 ties and 16 lead changes.

The first quarter was a physical one, ending with Charlotte ahead 26-24. Adebayo’s injury came early in the second period, and Miami struggled after his departure, with the Hornets outscoring the Heat 28-22 to close out the first half, taking a 54-52 lead.

White’s hot shooting in the third quarter, making four 3-pointers, gave Charlotte an 89-83 lead heading into the final period. However, despite a tough shooting night, the Hornets ultimately secured the win, despite shooting just 32.1% (18 of 56) from beyond the arc.

Kon Knueppel, Charlotte's rookie sharpshooter who led the NBA in made 3-pointers during the regular season, struggled in the game, finishing with six points on 2-of-12 shooting, including an 0-of-6 mark from long range.

The Hornets will now turn their attention to their next challenge as they continue their playoff hopes. -Field Level Media/Reuters