NBA Round Up: Davis helps Lakers clinch West’s top seed
The Los Angeles Lakers clinched the Western Conference top seed as Anthony Davis erupted, while reigning NBA champions the Toronto Raptors extinguished the Miami Heat.
Davis led the way for the Western Conference-leading Lakers with 42 points and 12 rebounds in Orlando, Florida on Monday.
LeBron James added 22 points as the Lakers (51-15) – six games ahead of rivals the Los Angeles Clippers in the West – look forward to their first playoff appearance since 2013.
Donovan Mitchell top-scored for the Jazz (42-25) with 33 points at the Walt Disney World Resort.
As for the Raptors, they outlasted Eastern Conference rivals the Heat 107-103 thanks to Fred VanVleet.
VanVleet posted a career-high 36 points and made seven three-pointers for the Raptors, who have won back-to-back games since the league resumed behind closed doors following the coronavirus-enforced break.
The Raptors (48-18) are second in the East amid a six-game winning streak, while the Heat are fourth (42-25).
Red-hot Warren stars again, Jokic triple-double
After his career-high 53 points in his team’s first game back, T.J. Warren put up 34 points and 11 rebounds as the Indiana Pacers defeated the Washington Wizards 111-100. Warren had 16 points in the third quarter to spark a 22-2 run. He was 14-for-26 from the field.
A Nikola Jokic triple-double (30 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists) and Michael Porter Jr’s double-double (37 points, 12 rebounds) fuelled the Denver Nuggets’ 121-113 overtime victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Pelicans struggle from the line
While the New Orleans Pelicans secured a much-needed 109-99 win against the Memphis Grizzlies, they made just 24-of-39 free throws. JJ Redick, a reliable free-throw shooter at 91 per cent, missed back-to-back attempts in the game.
Kendrick Nunn was 0-of-seven from the field and missed all five of his three-point attempts in the Heat’s defeat. His two points came via a pair of free throws in 16 minutes of action.
Clutch Milton lifts 76ers
With the Philadelphia 76ers trailing 130-128, Shake Milton nailed a three-pointer 6.1 seconds from the end to help his team outlast the San Antonio Spurs 132-130.
Monday’s results
Toronto Raptors 107-103 Miami Heat
Indiana Pacers 111-100 Washington Wizards
Philadelphia 76ers 132-130 San Antonio Spurs
Los Angeles Lakers 116-108 Utah Jazz
Denver Nuggets 121-113 Oklahoma City Thunder (OT)
New Orleans Pelicans 109-99 Memphis Grizzlies
Nets face Bucks
The NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks (54-13) will look to bounce back from their loss to the Houston Rockets when they face the Brooklyn Nets (31-35) on Tuesday. Brooklyn occupy the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
