Heat become first No. 10 seed to make playoffs; Grizzlies advance to face Thunder
Heat become first No. 10 seed to make playoffs; Grizzlies advance to face Thunder
Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith (24) keeps the ball in bounds in the first half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Friday, April 18, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
ATLANTA (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 30 points while sinking two 3-pointers in overtime and the Miami Heat regrouped after losing an early lead to beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-114 on Friday night and make NBA Play-In Tournament history.
Miami will play at Cleveland on Sunday night in the opening game of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
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Davion Mitchell scored only seven points in regulation before added three 3-pointers in overtime for Miami.
The Heat became the first No. 10 seed in either conference to make the playoffs since the current play-in format was launched in the 2020-21 season. Miami also failed to become the first play-in team to advance with two road wins.
GRIZZLIES 120, MAVERICKS 106
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant overcame a sprained right ankle to score 22 points and add nine assists and Memphis beat Dallas to advance to the NBA playoffs.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 24 points and Desmond Bane added 22 as the Grizzlies turned away several Dallas rallies in the second half.
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Memphis secured the Western Conference's eighth seed and will open against top-seeded Oklahoma City in a best-of-seven series beginning Sunday on the Thunder's home court.
Anthony Davis led the Mavericks with 40 points and nine nine rebounds, Klay Thompson added 18 points.
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