LOS ANGELES — The New Orleans Pelicans moved one step closer to their first playoff appearance since 2011, getting 24 points from forward Anthony Davis to dispatch the Minnesota Timberwolves 100-88 Monday. It was the fifth win in six games for the Pelicans, who currently hold the eighth spot in the Western Conference and can clinch a trip to the postseason with a win in their final regular-season game, Wednesday night at home versus San Antonio. If the Pelicans lose to the Spurs, New Orleans could still earn a playoff berth if Oklahoma City also loses its final regular-season game. Thunder 101, Trail Blazers 90: Guard Russell Westbrook scored 36 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to keep Oklahoma City's postseason hope alive with one game left to be played Wednesday. The Blazers were locked into the fourth seed heading into the game. But they have now lost three straight games and four of their last five. Heat 100, Magic 93: The four-time defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat, a long shot to make the playoffs, remained alive Monday night after beating the Orlando Magic at AmericanAirlines Arena. Miami was led by center Hassan Whiteside, who had 24 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. He also helped hold Magic center Nikola Vucevic to three points. Jazz 109, Mavericks 92: In a game that featured some interesting lineups between short-handed teams, Utah defeated Dallas at EnergySolutions Arena. Rookie point guard Bryce Cotton topped all scorers with 21 points, and center Rudy Gobert had a big night to help Utah to its seventh win in nine games. Knicks 112, Hawks 108: Rookie guard Langston Galloway was 6-for-6 on three-point attempts en route to a career-high 26 points, as last-place New York beat the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference. New York forward Jason Smith, who scored 20 points, hit two clinching free throws with 9.3 seconds remaining as the Knicks won their 17th game of the season. Cavaliers 109, Pistons 97: Cavs forward LeBron James had 21 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his second triple-double of the season. The Cavs looked ready for the playoffs, provided they make it there healthy. All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving did not play in the second half Monday with what the team described as tightness in his right hip. He had 12 points and three assists before he was pulled for precautionary reasons. Bulls 113, Nets 86: Rookie forward Nikola Mirotic scored 26 points, hitting three consecutive three-pointers in the final 81 seconds of the third quarter as Chicago took control to prevent Brooklyn from clinching a playoff spot. Mirotic had his 11th game with at least 20 points, but his biggest baskets helped the Bulls go from being up 78-63 to 87-65 entering the fourth quarter. With the Nets losing, the idle Boston Celtics clinched a spot in the postseason. Rockets 100, Hornets 90: Guard James Harden scored 29 points as Houston remained alive in its quest for the Southwest Division title. With the win, the Rockets moved back into a tie for first in the division with idle San Antonio, with Memphis needing a win at Golden State later Monday night to make it a three-way tie. Bucks 107, 76ers 97: Milwaukee Bucks guard Michael Carter-Williams said it was “great to be back and see some familiar faces” in Philadelphia. And he sent most of them home unhappy. Carter-Williams, last year's NBA Rookie of the Year who was traded to Milwaukee on Feb. 19, scored 30 points. He matched his season-high point total, shooting 11 for 17 from the floor. He also had five rebounds and five assists. — Reuters
