Bucks beat Sixers, clinch playoff berth
PHILADELPHIA — After leading his team to the NBA playoffs for the second time in three years, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo tried to act emotional.
“I’m just going to tear up,” he joked. Antetokounmpo, fighting a stomach bug, had 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as the Bucks beat the Philadelphia 76ers 90-82 to clinch a postseason berth.
The Bucks began the day needing a win and a loss by Chicago, Indiana or Miami to nail down a playoff spot. The Bulls lost 107-106 to Brooklyn.
TRAIL BLAZERS 101, JAZZ 86: In Portland, Ore., Damian Lillard scored a franchise-record 59 points and matched his career high with nine 3-pointers to help Portland beat Utah.
The win extended the Blazers’ lead over Denver to 1½ games in their battle for the final playoff berth in the West.
PACERS 127, MAGIC 112: In Orlando, Fla., Paul George scored 37 points and Myles Turner added 23 points and 10 rebounds to help Indiana move a step closer to a playoff berth.
The Pacers pulled a game ahead of Chicago for seventh place in the East.
CELTICS 121, HORNETS 114: In Charlotte, N.C., Isaiah Thomas scored 32 points, and Boston remained in contention for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Al Horford added 16 points and Kelly Olynyk had 13 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season as the Celtics pulled within a half-game of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
CLIPPERS 98, SPURS 87: In San Antonio, Chris Paul had 19 points and Los Angeles beat San Antonio for its fifth straight victory.
Doc Rivers tied Mike Dunleavy for the Clippers franchise record with his 215th regularseason victory.
NETS 107, BULLS 106: In New York, Dwyane Wade returned but Chicago sustained a potentially costly loss to Brooklyn.
Spencer Dinwiddie made four free throws in the final 13.6 seconds for the Nets.
Jimmy Butler scored 33 points for the Bulls, which fell into a tie for the final berth in the East with Miami.
HEAT 106, WIZARDS 103: In Washington, Hassan Whiteside scored 30 points and James Johnson hit a layup with 11 seconds left to give Miami a victory over the Wizards.
Johnson beat Markieff Morris to the basket for the go-ahead basket, Kelly Oubre Jr. threw away the inbounds pass and Josh Richardson made two free throws to seal it.
WARRIORS 123, PELICANS 101: In Oakland, Calif., Kevin Durant returned from a knee injury to score 16 points, with 10 rebounds and six assists as Golden State beat New Orleans.