Less than 24 hours after erasing an 18-factor fourth-region deficit to overcome the Celtics, the Hornets wanted some other miracle, this time towards the second one-area Raptors. Charlotte’s prayer became replied 48 feet from the basket, in which Jeremy Lamb’s heave stored the game and his crew’s season with all the magical arc of a rainbow to offer the Hornets the one hundred fifteen-114 victory.

It’s been a twisted NBA street for Lamb, the once notably regarded lottery pick traded twice before his rookie contract expired. He’s nevertheless now not the correct solution for the imperfect Hornets, who have depended on Kemba Walker’s greatness to live afloat inside the Eastern Conference. Lamb is capturing 34.1 percent from deep this season, down from the profession-excessive 37 percent clip he produced in 2017-18. That being said, Lamb still has an internet advantage.

The Hornets’ net rating is 3. Three points are better with him on the floor, and his recognition keeps defenses honest. On a crew that struggles to supply constant offense aside from Walker, Lamb (Charlotte’s 2nd-main scorer) is possibly their simplest different candidate to move off for a big night. On Sunday, he gave Charlotte a large moment — and a lifeline to their playoff hopes. As usual, we charge game-triumphing buzzer-beaters on our Horry Scale.

DIFFICULTY: Pascal Siakam hounded Lamb from the beginning of the out-of-bounds play and even poked the ball loose toward halfcourt. Forced to retreat and retrieve the ball, Lamb had no choice but to launch with Siakam, nevertheless draped throughout him. The Raptors’ forward is a good 4 inches taller than Lamb and boasts an absurd 7-foot-3 wingspan, which pressured the Hornets to defend to feature a substantial arc to the shot. It must have had 0 chance of getting in. “When I first shot it, it felt desirable, but in my head, I was wondering, ‘It’s too suitable to be proper if it does cross in,'” Lamb admitted afterward. “I never thought it’d pass in a million years. I notion it might get near; however, it became unreal to peer it move in.”

GAME SITUATION: Few matters are deflating more than the opposing team’s celebrity player taking cool manipulation of the sport. Kawhi Leonard had just hit a key jumper and blocked a Kemba Walker floater on lower back-to-returned possessions. Zoom out, and the Hornets’ scenario changed into even more dire. Lose and Charlotte trails eighth-place Miami using three games with nine to play. The Hornets’ playoff hopes were on life support. Lamb kept their pulse alive a little longer. CELEBRATION:

Lamb raced to the other side of the courtroom, but that didn’t forestall his teammates from catching as much as and mobbing their Sunday night savior. More touching turned into the renewal of team embraces after they were regarded to have ended. Walker changed into most of the maximum effusive congratulatory and for proper cause. The Hornets’ franchise face has loved just two playoff appearances in his seven previous seasons, with the most recent already four years in his rearview reflect.