Hornets Win Double Overtime Thriller Against Heat, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

(Central News Agency, Charlotte, 14th, comprehensive foreign wire report) The NBA play-in tournament is underway. The Charlotte Hornets twice staged a comeback in the final seconds today, ultimately defeating the Miami Heat 127-126 in overtime by a single point, eliminating them and keeping their hopes alive for the Eastern Conference 8th seed.

In this thrilling play-in game, the Heat still held a one-point lead with 5 seconds left in overtime. However, Hornets' LaMelo Ball delivered a crucial quasi-game-winner, ending the Heat's season. Ball scored a game-high 30 points today, along with 10 assists and 5 rebounds.

The 9th-ranked Hornets and 10th-ranked Heat in the regular season faced the pressure of elimination in the play-in tournament. The Heat held a slight advantage at halftime, leading 54-52, and the two teams battled closely until the end of the fourth quarter.

The Heat took a 114-111 lead with two free throws in the final 13 seconds, but Hornets' Coby White hit a crucial three-pointer, sending the game into overtime after the Heat's victory slipped away. White had 19 points today, shooting 5-for-8 from three-point range, including this game-tying shot.

The score remained tight in overtime. However, with about 26 seconds left, the Hornets held a five-point lead. The Heat's Tyler Herro then hit a three-point fadeaway to narrow the gap. After Hornets' LaMelo Ball carelessly lost the ball, he fouled Herro during a three-point attempt. Herro made all three free throws, giving the Heat a 126-125 lead.

With 9 seconds left, the Heat still had a one-point lead, but unexpectedly, Ball redeemed himself, driving for a layup in the final 5 seconds to score the crucial two points. The Heat's victory once again slipped away, and their entire team was eliminated from this year's playoffs.

Besides Ball's excellent performance today, Miles Bridges also contributed 28 points for the Hornets. Davion Mitchell scored 28 points for the Heat, and Andrew Wiggins contributed 27 points.

The victorious Hornets will now face the loser of the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Orlando Magic game. If they win, they will enter this year's NBA playoffs as the Eastern Conference 8th seed. (Compiled by Qu Xiangping) 1150415

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