The Latest Breaking News from Hornets

No, this was not the expectation for the final month of the regular season, the Miami Heat scrambling to deal with the nuances of the NBA’s play-in tournament, the second-chance postseason event for four teams lacking the wherewithal to secure direct playoff entry with a top-six seed.

DETROIT — On a night of celebration for the 2003 Detroit Shock, who won the WNBA championship 20 years ago, the Pistons hosted the Charlotte Hornets inside Little Caesars Arena.

The Hornets knocked off Tuscola 40-27 to earn a spot in Saturday’s state championship game.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A traditional sports documentary goes something like this: Find a championship team. Round up as many of the former players and coaches as you can from that team. Interview them all. Splice in some spectacular highlights. Set them to swelling music. Voilà! You’re done.

NEW YORK — The streak is over. Unexpectedly.

At face value, Bilic was harshly treated after having to cope with unprecedented injury crisis - but his team had inexplicably played with the handbrake on in recent weeks and fans are not surprised he has gone

Bilic, 54, was relieved of his duties after fewer than six months in charge of the Hornets

Watford have sacked Slaven Bilic after six months in charge and have immediately appointed Chris Wilder

No team in the NBA is hotter right now than the Knicks.

New York has won nine straight and is on the verge of cracking the top five as it vies for a top-four spot in the East.

NEW YORK — Jacque Vaugn and the Nets got a blowout victory of their own this time.