FILE - San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich watches play during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, March 31, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate, File)

The Associated Press

ATLANTA — After making NBA Play-In Tournament history by winning two road games, the Miami Heat won’t be afraid of facing No. 1 seed Cleveland in the playoffs.

Tyler Herro scored 30 points while sinking two 3-pointers in overtime and the Heat regrouped after losing an early lead to beat the Atlanta Hawks 123-114 on Friday night.

Miami will play at Cleveland on Sunday night in the opening game of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

“I know how badly our group wanted to get into this thing,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “I could see it in their eyes and feel it in their heart.”

Davion Mitchell scored only seven points in regulation before added three 3-pointers in overtime for Miami.

The Heat became the first No. 10 seed in either conference to make the playoffs since the current play-in format was launched in the 2020-21 season. Miami also became the first play-in team to advance with two road wins.

“We did it the hard way. We’re battle-tested,” said Miami’s Haywood Highsmith, who had 12 points and 10 rebounds. “We can go anywhere and beat anybody.”

Asked about the challenge of facing Cleveland, Spoelstra said, “I’m so grateful we’re in the playoffs. We’re the first team to do it, and why not, to take on two road games.”

Popovich has medical incident

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich is doing well at home after needing medical attention earlier this week following an incident at a restaurant.

That’s according to a person with knowledge of the matter said who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because neither Popovich nor the team released any details publicly.

The 76-year-old Popovich, who missed most of this season while recovering from what the Spurs called a mild stroke, was at a restaurant in San Antonio on Tuesday night when he began not feeling well.

TMZ Sports obtained video footage of what it said was Popovich being placed into an ambulance.

San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich is doing well at home after needing medical attention earlier this week following an incident at a restaurant, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press on Friday.

Pelinka extends contract

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — General manager Rob Pelinka has received a contract extension from the Los Angeles Lakers less than three months after he acquired Luka Doncic.

Owner Jeanie Buss also said Pelinka received a promotion in his second title, moving from vice president of basketball operations to president of basketball operations.

Lillard grateful

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard isn’t sure exactly when he will be playing again.

He’s just grateful that moment will come sooner than anyone could have reasonably expected.

Lillard was cleared for full-scale basketball activities and taken off blood-thinning medication this week after missing the last month with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf.

The news comes as the Milwaukee Bucks prepare to open the playoffs Saturday at Indiana.

Deep vein thrombosis is an abnormal clot within a vessel where the congealing of blood blocks the flow through on the way back to the heart.