BOBCATS CLINCH PLAYOFFS FOR SECOND TIME EVER

cleveland Al Jefferson scored 24 points, including seven in overtime, and the Bobcats clinched a playoff spot with a 96-94 win over the Cavaliers on Saturday night.

Charlotte is in the postseason for the second time in its 10-year history and the first time since 2010. The Bobcats (39-38) hold seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

Kyrie Irving, who defended himself before the game over reports he’s unhappy in Cleveland, was 16-of-31 from the field and scored a career-high 44 points. D.J. Augustin scored 25 points, Joakim Noah had 21 points and 12 rebounds, and the Bulls turned a possible first-round playoff preview into a laugher, never trailing in a 96-78 win over the Wizards. … Kevin Garnett scored 10 points in his first game in more than five weeks to help the Nets beat the 76ers 105-101. Garnett missed 19 straight games because of back spasms. The Nets went 14-5 over that span. … Rodney Stuckey came off the bench to score 26 points and help the Pistons rally for a 115-111 win over the Celtics. … Arron Afflalo, a former Nuggets guard, scored 18 points and Tobias Harris and Maurice Harkless added 17 apiece to lead the Magic to a 100-92 victory over the Timber

… DeMar DeRozan scored 15 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and the Raptors beat the 102-98.

Sanders gets weed talk.

Larry Sanders is hearing from Bucks officials following his five-game suspension for a third positive marijuana test. Sanders, who has played in only 23 games due to injuries after signing a four-year, $44 million extension in the offseason, was penalized for violating the NBA-NBPA drug program. “Any young man that makes it to this level, there’s a very high level of responsibility you have to take on,” coach Larry Drew said. Sanders apologized to the Bucks and their fans Friday. …