Paul, Clippers down Spurs
Los Angeles keeps hopes of hosting playoff series alive
SAN ANTONIO — Chris Paul had 19 points and the Los Angeles Clippers beat the San Antonio Spurs 98-87 on Saturday night for their fifth straight victory.
DeAndre Jordan added 17 points and 17 rebounds to help Los Angeles preserve its hopes of hosting a first-round series.
The Clippers are tied with Utah for the fourth seed and home court in the first-round series.
Kawhi Leonard had 28 points for San Antonio. The Spurs have secured the No. 2 seed and firstround matchup against seventh-seeded Memphis. CELTICS 121, HORNETS 114
Isaiah Thomas scored 32 points, and Boston remained in contention for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a win at Charlotte.
Al Horford added 16 points as the Celtics pulled within a half-game of the Cavaliers.
Nicolas Batum tied a season high with 31 points for the Hornets, who were eliminated from the playoffs. BUCKS 90, 76ERS 82
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as Milwaukee won at Philadelphia to clinch a playoff berth.
The Bucks, who snapped a three-game losing streak, began the night needing a victory and a defeat by Chicago, Indiana or Miami to secure a postseason berth. BLAZERS 101, JAZZ 86
Damian Lillard scored a franchise-record 59 points and matched his career high with nine 3-pointers to help Portland defeat visiting Utah.
Lillard surpassed Damon Stoudamire’s previous record of 54 points with a step-back 3-pointer.
With the crowd on its feet, he raised his arms in celebration then pounded his chest.
The win kept the Blazers ahead of the Denver Nuggets for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. PACERS 127, MAGIC 112
Paul George scored 37 points and Myles Turner added 23 and 10 rebounds to help Indiana move closer to a playoff spot with a win at Orlando.
The Pacers pulled a game ahead of Chicago for seventh place in the Eastern Conference and climbed back to .500 with their third straight victory.
Terrence Ross had 29 points for the Magic; Evan Fournier had 23. Orlando has lost six of its last seven. NETS 107, BULLS 106
Dwyane Wade returned but Chicago suffered a potentially costly loss when Brooklyn beat the Bulls.
Spencer Dinwiddie made four free throws in the final 13.6 seconds for the Nets in their home finale. Jimmy Butler scored 33 for the Bulls, who came in tied for seventh in the Eastern Conference. HEAT 106, WIZARDS 103
Hassan Whiteside scored 30 points and James Johnson hit a layup with 11 seconds left to give Miami a victory at Washington.
Johnson beat Markieff Morris to the basket for the go-ahead basket. Josh Richardson made two free throws to seal it as the Heat moved into a tie for eighth in the Eastern Conference.