With the triumph over Portland (136:125), the LA Clippers took fifth place in the West from Golden State and in the last game of the season against Phoenix, the "scissors" will decide their fate.
The guests from Oregon had a lead at halftime (64:70), but the home team took control at the beginning of the third quarter with a 14-2 run. With a three-pointer by Kevin Knox, the Blazers came close to minus 1 (86:85), and the team from the "city of angels" solved the question of the winner with a new series of 23-7.
Kawhi Leonard was the most effective with 27 points, Norman Powell scored 23, and Russell Vestrbuck scored 20, with six rebounds and assists each.
Kevin Knox stood out for the Trail Blazers, scoring 30 points, Shaydon Sharp added 26, while Trendon Watford finished with 24.
On the road to San Antonio (151:131), Minnesota recorded its 41st win of the season and secured ninth place, at worst.
The Timberwolves have a chance to finish the season in eighth place, because tonight at 21:30 they welcome their direct competitor, New Orleans.
If they beat them, they will only need one triumph in the play-offs to qualify for the playoffs.
"Wolves" have "cracked" in Texas. They made 24 three-pointers from 43 attempts and thus gained a key advantage against the "Spurs".
Anthony Edwards led the team from Minneapolis with 33 points, Karl Anthony Towns scored 22, Mike Conley 20, Jaden McDaniels 16...
Julian Champagne had 24 points for the Spurs, Keita Bates-Diop stopped at 22, and Tre Jones recorded a triple-double (21-10-12).
In a duel without any result significance, Utah won against Denver (118:114).
The Nuggets have already secured first place in the West, while the "Jazzers" dropped out of the race for the playoffs a few days ago.
The coach of the team from Colorado, Mike Malone, used this match to give an opportunity to all players, while the starters played for about 20 minutes.
Očai Agbađi was the best individual of the team from Salt Lake City with 28 points, Croatian international, Luka Šamanić, added 23, Kris Dan 19, Simone Fontekio 16...
Kentavius Caldwell-Pope scored 21 points for the Thunder, Jamal Mari had 20, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter 15 each, Christian Brown 14...Nikola Jokic had six points in 27 minutes on the floor (2/5 from the field ), with 10 jumps and successful passes each.
THE RESULTS:
LA Clippers - Portland 136:125
San Antonio - Minnesota 131:151
Utah - Denver 118:114
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