Wednesday night witnessed a thrilling turn of events as Brandon Miller’s buzzer-beating offensive rebound led the Charlotte Hornets to a high-octane 108-107 victory over the Detroit Pistons. The win concludes a three-match losing streak for the Hornets with stellar performances from Miles Bridges and LaMelo Ball.
Bridges and Ball Drive Hornets to Victory
Miles Bridges led the charge with a commanding 27-point contribution, while LaMelo Ball added 25 points, including five 3-pointers. Brandon Miller, the hero of the hour, rounded off his night with 19 points. On the other side, Cade Cunningham displayed his all-around skills with a triple-double for Detroit, contributing 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Jaden Ivey also showed his mettle with 21 points.
Miller Overcomes Late Turnover to Secure Win
The game’s final moments were filled with high tension. After a crucial turnover in the dying seconds, Miller redeemed himself with a decisive putback. The Hornets, holding a slim one-point lead, were trying to run down the clock when Miller found himself trapped in a double team. The Pistons managed to snatch the ball away, with Ronald Holland picking up the loose ball to score a go-ahead layup with just 6.3 seconds remaining – a move that left the Hornets’ home crowd in shock.
Last-Second Redemption for Miller
Despite this setback, Miller had the last laugh. On the Hornets’ final possession, he retrieved Grant Williams’ missed 3-pointer on the left side of the lane, swiftly returning it off the backboard to secure the game-winning points. His teammates rushed to celebrate the unexpected victory.
Key Takeaways and Upcoming Games
Despite the Pistons’ size advantage due to injuries to Hornets’ centers Mark Williams and Nick Richards, the scale balanced out following an ankle injury to Jalen Duren in the opening quarter.
The Hornets’ offensive trio of Ball, Miller, and Bridges showed their worth, all contributing significantly to the team’s scoring for the first time this season.
One key turning point was Ball’s step-back 3-pointer with 55 seconds left on the clock, pushing the Hornets to the lead. He later secured a driving layup to extend the lead to 106-103.
The Pistons, despite their loss, racked up an impressive 34 assists.
Looking ahead, the Pistons will host the Hawks, while the Hornets welcome the Pacers on Friday night.
