NBA Western Conference playoff picture set after frantic final day
The 5 through 9 seeds were all up for grabs on the final day in the Western Conference. Only the Warriors had it easy.
The Clippers stayed out of the play-in tournament, the Lakers locked in home court advantage for the 7 vs. 8 game, and the Timberwolves overcame a punch-filled game to ensure themselves two chances at making the playoffs on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Warriors cruised to a 157-101 victory which clinched the playoffs and set up a Northern California showdown with the Sacramento Kings.
The matchups
No. 1 Denver Nuggets vs. second play-in winner
No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers-Minnesota Timberwolves winner.
No. 3 Sacramento Kings vs. No. 6 Golden State Warriors
No. 4 Phoenix Suns vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers
Play-in
No. 7 Lakers vs. No. 8 Timberwolves
No. 9 New Orleans Pelicans vs. No. 10 Oklahoma City Thunder
Second play-in: Pelicans-Thunder winner at Lakers-Timberwolves loser
The Phoenix Suns rested a number of players against the Clippers, who still had to rally for a 119-114 win. A loss, combined with a New Orleans win, could have sent the Clippers to the play-in. Instead, they'll face the Suns again next weekend, with a rejuvenated Kawhi Leonard.
Meanwhile, Phoenix's extreme resting of its players left no doubt they didn't want to play the defending champion Warriors in the first round.
For their part, the Warriors hammered Portland with a 55-point first quarter, setting up a matchup with their Highway 80 rivals. Golden State went 3-1 against Sacramento this season, and has won 9 out of 11 matchups the last three seasons.
Los Angeles beat the Utah Jazz 128-117 behind LeBron James' 36 points and eight three-pointers.
King James should grant the Jazz a royal bonus after helping the Lakers so much this year. They took Russell Westbrook off their hands, while sending L.A, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley, and facilitating the multi-team trade that brought D'Angelo Russell to Los Angeles.
Utah also started a lineup of four players 23 and younger in two losses to the Lakers in the season's final four games. Who says Danny Ainge hates the Lakers?
Finally, in the craziest game of the day, Minnesota outlasted New Orleans despite sending Rudy Gobert home for taking a swing at his teammate, and losing Jaden McDaniels to punching a wall.
The Pelicans entered Sunday with a chance to get the No. 6 seed. Instead, they'll need to win two play-in games to return to the playoffs after falling 113-108, despite Brandon Ingram's 42 points.
The Lakers and the Timberwolves face off in L.A. on TNT Tuesday night, while the Thunder visit the Pelicans Wednesday night, on ESPN.
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