Spanish
MIAMI, United States. — The Charlotte Hornets secured a dramatic 127-126 victory over the Miami Heat in overtime, needing one more win to secure their spot in the NBA postseason.
You may be interested in: NBA Draft 2026: dates, format and keys of the new talent selection process
The match, played at the Spectrum Center, featured LaMelo Ball and Coby White. White tied the score with a three-pointer with 10.8 seconds left to force overtime, while Ball led his team with 30 points and 10 assists, including the game-winning basket with 4.6 seconds to play. Charlotte, who finished ninth in the table, will now face the loser of the duel between Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers in search of a ticket to the playoffs. The game was also marked by the departure of center Bam Adebayo, who suffered a blow to the back after a play in the second quarter and did not return to the court, affecting the interior performance of the Miami team. Despite the absence of their main figure in the painting, the Heat managed to stay competitive for a large part of the game and even went into halftime with an advantage. However, they couldn't hold the difference in the decisive moments, allowing the Hornets to come back. In overtime, Charlotte showed greater effectiveness and sealed the victory with a solid defense, including a key block by Miles Bridges in the rival's last possession. In another result, the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 114-110 to secure their playoff berth under the direction of coach Thiago Splitter. The Portland team overcame a double-digit deficit in the final quarter, led by Deni Avdija, who signed a remarkable performance of 41 points. The victory guarantees them a first-round matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. Jalen Green, for his part, led Phoenix's offense with 35 points, although it was not enough to avoid the defeat. The Suns still have options to advance, depending on their next commitment in the closing of the repechage. The day left intense emotions and key definitions in the fight for the last spots in the NBA postseason.
