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If the first night of the NBA play-in tournament<\/a> is an appetizer of what\u2019s coming for the next couple of months, the postseason will be at the very least intriguing.<\/p>\n The teasers came with a couple of compelling results. While there\u2019s no guarantees that a new wave of contenders<\/a> have been identified, there\u2019s the notion that there are must-see moments ahead.<\/p>\n Ripe with controversy, comebacks and drama, it\u2019s odd to suggest that the Charlotte Hornets and Portland Trail Blazers could be responsible for setting the tone.<\/p>\n The Hornets survived for a 127-126 overtime victory against the visiting Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference. In the Western Conference, the Trail Blazers rallied for a 114-110 road victory in Phoenix to advance into the playoffs.<\/p>\n The Suns will have to play Friday night at home against Wednesday\u2019s Golden State-Los Angeles Clippers winner for the right to reach the playoffs.<\/p>\n The Hornets have work to do as well, taking on the loser of Wednesday\u2019s Orlando-Philadelphia game on Friday with a spot in the playoffs in the balance.<\/p>\n The Heat have been eliminated, failing to reach the playoffs for the first time since prior to the COVID pandemic. Their chances might have dimmed anyway with Bam Adebayo sitting out since early in the second quarter Tuesday because of a back injury. He played only 11 minutes.<\/p>\n That\u2019s where the controversy arrived in the first game following the regular season. Adebayo crashed to the floor courtesy of an undetected trip by Hornets star guard LaMelo Ball.<\/p>\n