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 Pelicans 100, Timberwolves 88
The New Orleans Pelicans moved one step closer to their first
playoff appearance since 2011, getting 24 points from forward
Anthony Davis to dispatch the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It was the fifth win in six games for the Pelicans, who currently
hold the eighth spot in the Western Conference and can clinch a trip
to the postseason with a win in their final regular-season game,
Wednesday night at home versus San Antonio.
If the Pelicans lose to the Spurs, New Orleans could still earn a
playoff berth if Oklahoma City also loses its final regular-season
game.
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Thunder 101, Trail Blazers 90
Guard Russell Westbrook scored 36 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to
keep Oklahoma City's postseason hope alive with one game left to be
played Wednesday.
The Blazers were locked into the fourth seed heading into the game.
But they have now lost three straight games and four of their last
five.
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Heat 100, Magic 93
The four-time defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat, a
long shot to make the playoffs, remained alive on Monday night after
beating the Orlando Magic at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Miami was led by center Hassan Whiteside, who had 24 points, 14
rebounds and five blocks. He also helped hold Magic center Nikola
Vucevic to three points.
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Jazz 109, Mavericks 92
In a game that featured some interesting lineups between
short-handed teams, Utah defeated Dallas at EnergySolutions Arena.
Rookie point guard Bryce Cotton topped all scorers with 21 points,
and center Rudy Gobert had a big night to help Utah to its seventh
win in nine games.
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Knicks 112, Hawks 108
Rookie guard Langston Galloway was 6-for-6 on three-point attempts
en route to a career-high 26 points, as last-place New York beat the
team with the best record in the Eastern Conference.
New York forward Jason Smith, who scored 20 points, hit two
clinching free throws with 9.3 seconds remaining as the Knicks won
their 17th game of the season.
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Cavaliers 109, Pistons 97
Cavs forward LeBron James had 21 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds
for his second triple-double of the season.
The Cavs looked ready for the playoffs, provided they make it there
healthy. All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving did not play in the
second half Monday with what the team described as tightness in his
right hip. He had 12 points and three assists before he was pulled
for precautionary reasons.
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Bulls 113, Nets 86
Rookie forward Nikola Mirotic scored 26 points, hitting three
consecutive three-pointers in the final 81 seconds of the third
quarter as Chicago took control to prevent Brooklyn from clinching a
playoff spot.
Mirotic had his 11th game with at least 20 points, but his biggest
baskets helped the Bulls go from being up 78-63 to 87-65 entering
the fourth quarter.
With the Nets losing, the idle Boston Celtics clinched a spot in the
postseason.
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Rockets 100, Hornets 90
Guard James Harden scored 29 points as Houston remained alive in its
quest for the Southwest Division title.
With the win, the Rockets moved back into a tie for first in the
division with idle San Antonio, with Memphis needing a win at Golden
State later Monday night to make it a three-way tie.
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Bucks 107, 76ers 97
Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams said it was "great to
be back and see some familiar faces" in Philadelphia. And he sent
most of them home unhappy.
Carter-Williams, last year's NBA Rookie of the Year who was traded
to Milwaukee on Feb. 19, scored 30 points. He matched his
season-high point total, shooting 11 for 17 from the floor. He also
had five rebounds and five assists.
- - - (Editing By Cameron French)
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