Basketball fans were treated to two exceptional games on the first night of the Play-In as both contests came down to the final buzzer, filled with intensity and shotmaking.
In the first game, LaMelo Ball and the Hornets somehow outlasted the Miami Heat 127-126 in overtime as Ball scooped in a game-winning layup with less than five seconds to play. Coby White was sensational, drilling a batch of HUGE 3s and Miles Bridges was electric on both ends. Ball also injured Bam Adebayo in the first half with a dangerous play and the Heat star never returned.
Then, in the nightcap, Deni Avdija dropped 41 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds on the Phoenix Suns, overcoming a 35-point night from Jalen Green, to propel the Portland Trail Blazers into the playoffs with a 114-110 win.
What a spectacle it was.
Up next, looking ahead to Wednesday’s action, the No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers will host the No. 8 Orlando Magic in the East at 7:30 p.m. ET before the No. 10 Golden State Warriors face the No. 9 Los Angeles Clippers out West at 10 p.m. ET.