The playoff picture is shaping up in the ever-changing East. Spots are up for grabs — yesterday the Nets were in, today the Pacers were in — they keep fighting for the final spot. Other teams are definitely in but are improving their body of work in the last weeks of the season.
Let’s get to the games:
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Los Angeles Clippers | 96 | (39-21) |
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Chicago Bulls | 86 | (37-23) |
| Final | |||
A run-and-gun offense powered the Clippers over the Bulls. Los Angeles scored 16 fast-break points, compared to just four by the Bulls in the double digit victory. Chris Paul topped out at 28 points and Jamal Crawford came off the bench to add 18 for the Clippers. DeAndre Jordan had a monstrous game on the glass, grabbing 26 rebounds and Matt Barnes blocked four shots. The Bulls were led by Nikola Mirotic, who scored 29 points.
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Cleveland Cavaliers | 103 | (37-24) |
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Houston Rockets | 105 | (41-18) |
| Final – OT | |||
A powerhouse slugfest gave way to the home team, but a superstar’s misstep practically gave it away. LeBron James missed a pair of free throws with 4.2 seconds remaining in an overtime period and the Rockets held on to win. Houston outscored Cleveland 7-5 in the extra frame. Despite James’ 37 points, Cleveland shot 40-percent from the field. James Harden led the Rockets with 33 points and Terrance Jones added 19. Houston scored 25 points off 23 Cavaliers turnovers.
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Golden State Warriors | 106 | (46-11) |
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Boston Celtics | 101 | (23-34) |
| Final | |||
The Warriors won for the seventh time in the past nine games. Steph Curry led the charge with 37 points Klay Thompson added 20 for a back-to-back solid night for the team’s top two players. Draymond Green added 14 points and 11 rebounds. Curry knocked down five of Golden State’s 12 3-pointers and also had five assists. For the Celtics, all five starters reached double figures but reserve Isaiah Thomas led with 20. Brandon Bass added 15 points and grabbed 12 of Boston’s 60 rebounds.
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Portland Trail Blazers | 110 | (39-19) |
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Sacramento Kings | 99 | (20-37) |
| Final | |||
Portland’s hot start, including a 64-50 halftime lead and 14 unanswered points in the first quarter. LaMarcus Aldridge had with 26 points and 15 rebounds in the Trail Blazers’ third-straight win. Damian Lillard led the way with 30 points. Portland scored 23 points off Sacramento turnovers had had 10 more team rebounds (43-33). The Kings got 24 points from Rudy Gay and only attempted 12 3-pointers, making three.
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Philadelphia 76ers | 74 | (13-46) |
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Indiana Pacers | 94 | (25-34) |
| Final | |||
The Pacers beat up on the listless 76ers and added insult t injury by outscoring them, 21-10 in the fourth quarter. Indiana has won eight of its last 10 games and currently holds the final playoff sport in the Eastern Conference. Roy Hibbert scored 14 points with 15 rebounds and George Hill led the Pacers with 17 points. Luis Scola added 15 points off the bench. For Philadelphia, Robert Covington had a team-high 12 points on a 34-percent team shooting night.
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Charlotte Hornets | 98 | (24-33) |
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Orlando Magic | 83 | (19-42) |
| Final | |||
Mo Williams had his fifth-striaght night of scoring in double digits and led the Hornets with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Al Jefferson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrest also had double-doubles for Charlotte. Jefferson scored 16 points with 10 rebounds and Kidd-Gilchrest had 11 points with 13 rebounds. Gerald Henderson and Cody Zeller each scored 16 points as all five starters scored in double figures. Victor Oladipo had 21 points for the Magic.
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Oklahoma City Thunder | 108 | (33-27) |
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Los Angeles Lakers | 101 | (16-42) |
| Final | |||
The Thunder can’t catch a break, but Oklahoma City keeps on winning. With Kevin Durant out for the past week, the team also played without Russell Westbrook on Sunday after he was roughed up Saturday night. No matter. Serge Ibaka and D.J. Augustin each scored 18 points to lead the Thunder past the Lakers, who are just 9-20 at Staples Center this season. Enes Knater added 16 points and 11 rebound for OKC. Jordan Hill came off the bench to have 14 points and 11 rebounds for Los Angeles.
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New Orleans Pelicans | 99 | (32-27) |
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Denver Nuggets | 92 | (20-39) |
| Final | |||
The Pelicans earned their fifth straight win thanks to a 34-point fourth quarter. New Orleans also shot nearly 50-percent from the floor and Tyreke Evans led the way with 22 points. Eric Gordon added 18 points and Omer Asik grabbed 16 of the team’s 44 rebounds. Danilo Gallinari led Denver with 21 points and Ty Lawson dished out 11 steals. Reserves J.J. Hickson and Will Barton each pulled down 10 rebounds.