How Charles Lee’s message spawned Brandon Miller’s game-winner

Brandon Miller can check off an item on his to-do list in the NBA after sinking his first-ever buzzer-beater on Wednesday. His game-winner, along with the heroics of several of his teammates, helped the Charlotte Hornets snap a three-game losing skid and climb a bit in the standings to 3-5.

The last-second shot was also a vindication of some sort for Miller, as he struggled with his efficiency nearly the entire contest. He even committed a costly turnover late in the fourth quarter that allowed the Detroit Pistons to retake the lead with 6.1 seconds left on the clock.

Fortunately, the aspiring star found himself at the right place at the right time to drain a putback shot off of Grant Williams' missed 3-pointer.

Brandon Miller didn't give up on the play

Miller's miracle shot was a product of fortune as much as it was a result of his determination to chase the offensive rebound.

Crashing the boards has been one of the Hornets' main thrusts this season under new coach Charles Lee. They even led the league in average offensive rebounds at one point before big man Nick Richards was sidelined because of a rib injury. According to Miller, Lee's preaching about the team needing to be relentless offensive rebounders has resonated with him.

Of course, luck also played a part in the swingman's successful putback, as the ball fell directly to where he was at. However, it might be easy to miss that Miller was able to evade Malik Beasley's boxout attempt in order to get to an ideal rebounding position.

Moreover, it wasn't only the sophomore wing who made his way near the rim. Even LaMelo Ball, who had just fallen down on the floor, was quick to get up and rush to the paint. Josh Green and Miles Bridges were also in the vicinity, as they outnumbered their opponents inside.

The fact that the players had no intention of just watching whether Williams' shot would go in may be evidence that they have bought into Lee's philosophies and game plan.

The squad, though, has continued to experience growing pains in its first year together with the rookie head coach, especially since it has more losses than wins in the standings. Even so, there have been plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the Hornets' trajectory in the coming years. Just a couple of examples are their resolve to outrebound their opponents nightly and Miller showing his clutch genes.