Minneapolis: New Orleans and Oklahoma City both won critical games on Monday to stay alive in the battle for the Western Conference’s final play-off spot, while Brooklyn hurt their post-season chances with a loss to Chicago in the East.
Anthony Davis had 24 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks to move the Pelicans one step closer to a play-off berth with a 100-88 victory over Minnesota.
Tyreke Evans added 22 points and five assists and Eric Gordon scored 22 for the Pelicans (44-37). They have the same record as Oklahoma City, but hold the tiebreaker heading into the season finale on Wednesday against San Antonio.
The Thunder avoided elimination by beating Portland 101-90.
Russell Westbrook scored 36 points, Enes Kanter added 27 points and 13 rebounds for Oklahoma City, who finish against Minnesota on Thursday.
Westbrook picked up his 16th technical at Indiana on Sunday, which would have been an automatic one-game suspension. It was rescinded on Monday, allowing him to play.
Meyers Leonard scored a career-high 24 points for the Trail Blazers, who already were locked into the No. 4 play-off spot in the West.
Brooklyn, meanwhile, fell into ninth place in the Eastern Conference after losing to Chicago 113-86.
Nikola Mirotic scored 26 points and Pau Gasol had 22 points and 11 rebounds as the Bulls clinched home-court advantage in the first round of the play-offs.
The Nets will need a win Wednesday and a loss by Indiana in at least one of their final two games to reach the post-season.
In other games that could impact play-off seeding, the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston both won to set up a three-way tie with idle San Antonio for the No. 2 seed in the West, while Memphis lost to Golden State to fall to sixth place in the conference.
