LaMelo Ball's Clutch Steal Ends in Vain for Hornets, Kelly Olynyk Hits Buzzer-Beater to End Pistons' 4-Year Losing Streak

With 4.1 seconds left, the game tied at 116, and LaMelo Ball almost won Sunday's contest. Unfortunately, Lady Luck did not smile in the youngster's favor as Kelly Olynyk made a fadeaway jumper from the baseline at the overtime buzzer. The Detroit Pistons beat Charlotte 127-126 on Sunday night, their first win over the Hornets in nearly four and a half years.

Lamelo missed his jumper from a distance in what could have been his biggest shot of the season so far.

Still, LaMelo's performance was pretty remarkable and clutch. After PJ Washington recovered a missed Miles Bridges shot to tie the game at 116, Ball did not give up on trying to end the match and proceeded to steal the ball from Killian Hayes off the inbound pass, according to Bleacher Report.

LaMelo finished the match with 17 points, on top of seven rebounds and seven assists.

Ending Pistons' 4-Year Losing Streak Vs. Hornets

With no time left in overtime, Olynyk nailed a baseline fadeaway to end the game. For the Pistons, who have won three of their last four games, Olynyk had 20 points and eight rebounds, per SB Nation.

It was the 30-year-old Olynyk's first NBA game-winner, saying it took him "nine years."

The Pistons, for the first time in 16 attempts, beat the Charlotte Hornets. But it was quite the rollercoaster to get to that point.

Detroit appeared to have the game in hand after a big corner three from Saddiq Bey. But after the Pistons fouled up three and Cunningham missed a free throw, and P.J. Washington scored on an offensive rebound, it sent the game to overtime.

Cade Cunningham had foul trouble once more in the first quarter. He had two questionable calls against him in the span of six minutes and sat for most of the half as a result.

Detroit needed to find offense elsewhere after losing their number one option, and they found it in Saddiq Bey.

The Villanova sophomore had 13 out of his 28 points and eight rebounds in the first half, hitting three-pointers and displaying his ever-improving off-the-dribble game.

Bey also hit another key three, setting the stage for Olynyk's game-winning shot. Jerami Grant had 26 points with five in overtime.

Killian Hayes, another bright light for Detroit in the first half, went for his shot on many occasions while displaying his typical passing prowess. Hayes finished the game with 6 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists.

The game appeared to be slipping away from the Pistons in the second half after Cunningham earned another early foul and the Hornets started making shots.

Then Olynyk started unloading from behind the deep line, and shots began to fly. After a few three-ball exchanges, the Pistons kept up their pace to make it a one-possession game within five minutes.

The game went back and forth from there, with Cunningham making multiple late baskets and Bey pounding the offensive boards and scoring just enough to give Detroit the victory.

Hornets' Downward Spiral Continues

Charlotte got 29 points and 10 rebounds from Miles Bridges and 33 points from Terry Rozier.

Washington, who scored off an offensive rebound to send the game to overtime, missed a layup with 20 seconds left in overtime that would have given Charlotte a three-point advantage.

The Hornets, who now has a 0-6 record in overtime games, suffered yet another frustrating loss to one of the NBA's cellar dwellers.

The team fell to the Houston Rockets and the Orlando Magic earlier this season, games that might lose them key playoff placement or even knock them out of the postseason.

"We have to fix it," Bridges said. "We can't play down to our competition."

Coach James Borrego said they have to make shots and be better and make a play down the stretch.

READ MORE: NBA All-Star Game 2022: LeBron James Shoots Game-Winning Point, Leading All-Star Team to Victory for Five Consecutive Years

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Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Kelly Olynyk Game Winner vs. Hornets - Bleacher Report