Miles Bridges made a 3-pointer with 6.6 seconds remaining in overtime, and the Charlotte Hornets defeated the Boston Celtics 121-118 on Monday night to end a six-game home losing streak.
For the Hornets, who overcame an 18-point deficit, LaMelo Ball finished with 36 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Gordon Hayward contributed 20 points as well.
Despite being fouled on a 3-point attempt, Jayson Tatum missed a free throw with 5.2 seconds remaining that would have tied the game, even though he finished with 45 points. Before the pivotal miss, he had made the first two.
Gordon Hayward made two free throws to give Charlotte a three-point lead again with 0.8 seconds remaining and Bridges stole the inbounds pass to secure the victory.
For Charlotte, Mark Williams finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds.
With five three-pointers, Peyton Pritchard scored 21 points to lead Boston, who lost their last six games.
Tatum scored 31 points in the first half, matching a career-high, and Pritchard added four 3-pointers as the Celtics led 65-54 at the half.
The Hornets, who came into the game on a four-game losing streak, persevered and cut the lead to two early in the fourth quarter. However, the Celtics’ lead was unexpectedly increased to eleven points by three-point shooters Pritchard, Svi Mykhailiuk, and Sam Hauser.
But Williams’ offensive rebound put Charlotte within two with 22 seconds remaining.
Jrue Holiday was fouled during the next possession with 10.3 seconds remaining, but he missed both free throws, giving the Hornets a chance to win or tie the game. With 7.2 seconds remaining, Ball got the side inbounds pass, drove to the hoop, and scored to tie the game.
At the buzzer at the end of regulation, Houser had a chance to win it, but he missed.
Ball was outstanding in overtime, giving Charlotte the lead with a left-handed layup high off the glass. Bridges was open for a 3-pointer with the game tied after Ball found him on the left wing.
Bridges started the season for the Hornets, defeating a struggling P.J. Washington in his third game back after serving a 10-game suspension imposed by the league.
Bridges finished with fifteen rebounds and fourteen points.
Al Horford was rested by the Celtics, and Derrick White missed action due to a personal matter.
