Paul helps Suns clinch top playoff seed

DENVER — Chris Paul returned from a broken right wrist to help the Phoenix Suns wrap up the top seed in the NBA playoffs with a 140-130 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.

Devin Booker led Phoenix with a season-high 49 points and Paul had 17 points — 15 of them after halftime — and 13 assists in the Suns’ seventh straight victory.

The Suns, who won 11 of the 15 games while their 12-time All-Star point guard was out, lead the NBA with a 60-14 record and are trying to make the NBA Finals for a second straight season after losing to Milwaukee last year.

GRIZZLIES 133, PACERS 103

Desmond Bane scored 30 points, hitting 12 of 15 shots, and host Memphis built a big lead early before coasting to victory and clinching a spot in the playoffs.

Before the game, Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins announced that leading scorer Ja Morant would miss the next two weeks with right knee soreness. Morant sat out the previous two games after tweaking the knee in Memphis’ loss to Atlanta last Friday.

But the Grizzlies became the second team to lock up a playoff spot.

PELICANS 126, BULLS 109

Devonte’ Graham hit five 3-pointers on his way to a season-high 30 points, as host New Orleans rolled. Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points and 19 rebounds for the Pelicans, who won for the fourth time in six games as they try to solidify their hold on a Western Conference play-in spot.

BUCKS 114, WIZARDS 102

Jrue Holiday had 24 points and 10 assists to help short-handed Milwaukee beat Washington at home.

RAPTORS 118 CAVALIERS 104

Pascal Siakam matched his season high with 35 points, Chris Boucher added 17 and host Toronto beat Cleveland to tighten the Eastern Conference playoff race.