MX23RW : Tuesday, December 24 10:29:54| >> :120:4811:4811:

NBA roundup: New Orleans Pelicans, Brooklyn Nets clinch final playoff places

Sports Mole rounds up all the action from the final games of the NBA's regular season.

The New Orleans Pelicans secured the final playoff place in the Western Conference with a narrow win over the San Antonio Spurs.

New Orleans opened up a 23-point lead over the current NBA champions, but the Spurs fought back before Anthony Davis made a string of late shots to ensure that the Pelicans will be in the post-season.

The Pelicans' success comes at the expense of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who miss out for the first time in six seasons despite cruising to a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Russell Westbrook led the way with 37 to finish the regular season as the top scorer in the NBA, but it was not enough to lift the Thunder above the Pelicans.

The Brooklyn Nets wrapped up eighth place in the Eastern Conference, beating the Orlando Magic to secure a spot in the playoffs.

The home side made a slow start, but Joe Johnson made sure that they turned it around before half time, leaving them to face the Atlanta Hawks in the first round.

The Nets' jump into eighth leaves the Indiana Pacers outside the playoffs following their defeat to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Marc Gasol was Memphis's top scorer with 33, helping them end a two-game losing streak and clinch home court advantage over the Trail Blazers for their first-round series.

The Toronto Raptors claimed a franchise-record 49th win as they beat the Charlotte Hornets, leaving them fourth in the final standings in the Eastern Conference.

Kyle Lowry led the charge with 26 points, ensuring that the Canadian side will meet the Washington Wizards in the first round of the playoffs.

The Boston Celtics head into the playoffs on the back of a six-game winning streak after edging out the Milwaukee Bucks in their final outing.

Gigi Datome made two three-pointers late on to put the Celtics ahead on his way to finishing with a team-high 22 points.

The Cleveland Cavaliers needed overtime to claim a win over the Washington Wizards after coming from behind in the fourth quarter.

Matthew Dellavedova added two free throws late on to try to give Cleveland a win before Shawn Marion tied the scores, leaving Iman Shumpert to secure the win in overtime for Cleveland.

The Chicago Bulls fought back from 18 points down to head into the playoffs with a win over the Atlanta Hawks.

The Eastern Conference leaders made a bright start to the game, and looked to be heading to a comfortable win until Aaron Brooks led the fightback, before Pau Gasol edged them ahead.

The Dallas Mavericks cruised to a comfortable victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, setting up a playoff series with the Houston Rockets.

The home side looked the stronger from the start, racing to a 10-point lead by the end of the first quarter, before Tyson Chandler and Chandler Parsons sealed the rout in the second half.

The Rockets set up the meeting with their Texas rivals after thrashing the Utah Jazz, moving them up to second in the Western Conference.

The Rockets dominated the first half to set up the win, with James Harden leading the charge to take a 30-point lead before half time, leaving the Jazz with too much to do after the break.

The Golden State Warriors wrapped up their record-breaking season with a win over the Denver Nuggets, giving them their 67th win of the campaign.

Klay Thompson had 25 points in the first half before being rested, leaving the reserves to see out the win ahead of their first-round matchup with the Pelicans.

The Miami Heat finished their season with a consolation win over the Philadelphia 76ers, knowing that they would not be in the playoffs just one year after reaching a fourth straight final.

The game was close throughout, but Henry Walker put Miami, who rested many of their starters, ahead inside the final 10 seconds with a three-pointer.

The New York Knicks finished the worst season in the franchise's history with defeat to the Detroit Pistons, leaving the Knicks with the second worst record in the league.

Reggie Jackson put the Pistons in front early on, while six of his teammates also reached double figures to leave the Knicks with their fewest wins in a season.

The Los Angeles Lakers also finish with their worst ever record as they were well beaten the Sacramento Kings, leaving them with eight defeats from their final nine games.

Ben McLemore and Derrick Williams combined for 46 points, handing Sacramento a 29th victory of the season, giving them one more than last year.

Results in full: Charlotte Hornets 87-92 Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks 85-91 Chicago Bulls, Portland Trail Blazers 98-114 Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz 91-117 Houston Rockets, Boston Celtics 105-100 Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder 138-113 Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs 103-108 New Orleans Pelicans, Orlando Magic 88-101 Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards 108-113 Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons 112-90 New York Knicks, Miami Heat 105-101 Philadelphia 76ers, Indiana Pacers 83-95 Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets 126-133 Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings 122-99 Los Angeles Lakers

ID:217436: cacheID:217436:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:10920:
Written by
Sian Cowper
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder jumps over Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers while attempting to score in the fourth quarter on May 15, 2014
Read Next:
NBA roundup: Oklahoma keep playoff bid alive
>