Can the Charlotte Hornets realistically make a playoff run?

The Charlotte hornets started 9-20, and are now above .500 with a 32-31 record. They are now the 9th seed just a couple of games behind Miami, and it will be hard for them to get out of the play-in but its possible. This turn around has also been amazing, a big part of that has been Moussa Diabate as well as Brandon Miller/Knueppel taking massive leaps and everyone being healthy. Their starting lineup has a +18 net rating and they are actually blowing out teams consistently, with the latest showing being going into Boston tonight and blowing them out. Their defense has just improved, they play fast, and shoot a ton of threes. They are 16-4 in the last 20 games with the only losses coming to contenders as well as during Bridges/Diabate suspensions. Everything indicates this is a really good team, the question is can they be a threat in the playoffs.

It will still be hard for them to beat Boston/Knicks/Cavs/Pistons, but with how they are playing this point none of those teams probably want to see the Hornets in the 1st round.

Do you guys think they can actually pull off an upset and beat an East contender in the 1st round?