The Lakers registered a 128–117 victory over the Utah Jazz.
Every crew was once in motion at the ultimate day of the common season, however all eyes had been at the Western Conference the place greater than a dozen attainable seeding results rested on the result of 4 video games.
The reigning champion Warriors moved briefly to simplify issues for themselves, exploding for an NBA first-quarter file 55 issues within the opening body.
Klay Thompson made 5 of the Warriors’ 12 three-pointers within the duration — a file for treys via any crew in an NBA quarter.
Thompson — who completed with six three-pointers and 20 issues — was the 0.33 participant in NBA historical past to hit 300 three-pointers in one season. Teammate Stephen Curry has accomplished it 4 occasions and James Harden has accomplished it as soon as.
The Warriors led via 28 after the primary quarter, and Curry took over with 10 of his 26 issues in the second one because the Warriors took an 84–53 halftime lead.
They coasted house, with all of the Warriors starters sitting out the fourth duration.
“It’s been a very up and down season, but when you get to the playoffs none of that matters,” mentioned Warriors talisman Draymond Green after the crew clinched the 6th seed and a first-round collection towards the third-seeded Sacramento Kings. “The real season starts,” Green mentioned, “and that’s what matters.”
The Los Angeles Clippers snagged the 5th seed with a 119–114 victory over the fourth-seeded Phoenix Suns — and the groups will meet once more within the first around.
kawhi leonard scored 12 of his 25 issues within the fourth quarter because the Clippers in spite of everything were given previous the Suns, who performed with out Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton.
Leonard mentioned the Clippers must do higher towards a full-strength Suns squad.
“The last two games teams have been sitting their stars, and we’re struggling,” he mentioned.
The Lakers, in the meantime, completed 7th and can host the Minnesota Timberwolves within the play-in on Tuesday, the winner advancing to the playoffs because the 7th seed within the West.
LeBron James tired 8 three-pointers on find out how to 36 issues for the Lakers, who began the season 2-10 however have clawed their solution to a post-season shot.
Anthony Davis scored 16 issues and pulled down 13 rebounds and D’Angelo Russell added 17 issues for the Lakers, who’ve gained 9 in their closing 11 video games.
“Our team is very well put together,” James mentioned. “We got a lot of good balance. We did a good job of putting together a team that fits around AD and myself after the break. We’re just trying to make it happen on the floor.”
The Timberwolves snatched the 8th spot from New Orleans with a tumultuous 113–108 victory over the Pelicans.
The Timberwolves by no means led till the fourth quarter. They had been down via 12 when a heated change between forwards Kyle Anderson and heart Rudy Gobert all the way through a second-quarter timeout ended with Gobert taking a swing at his teammate ahead of others stepped in to split the 2.
“Guys were just frustrated — we weren’t playing well, we weren’t sharing the ball, we looked sluggish,” Timberwolves trainer Chris Finch mentioned. “But obviously it’s not something we’re going to be able to tolerate here.”
Minnesota briefly introduced that Gobert would no longer go back to the sport, and Jaden McDaniels additionally needed to depart the competition after injuring his hand punching a wall in frustration.
However, Karl-Anthony Towns scored 12 of his 30 issues within the ultimate quarter and the Timberwolves — with 26 issues and 13 rebounds from Anthony Edwards — withstood a 42-point efficiency from New Orleans’ Brandon Ingram to present themselves a extra favorable play-in place.
If they lose to the Lakers, they are able to nonetheless achieve the playoffs with a win over the play-in sport between the Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder.
With seeding settled within the East going into Sunday’s video games there was once little drama.
The Philadelphia 76ers beat the Brooklyn Nets 134-105 in a preview in their upcoming first-round playoff collection.
Brooklyn guard Mikal Bridges was once the one common starter for both crew to play, clocking simply seconds on courtroom however extending his streak of consecutive video games performed to 392 — a great file over the primary 5 seasons of his NBA occupation.
Bridges performed his 83rd sport of the 82-game season — gaining an additional sport as a result of his February business from Phoenix.
(With company inputs)