The Memphis Grizzlies clinched the final playoff berth in the Western Conference thanks to a 97-91 win at Phoenix Suns on Monday.
Michael Conley hit a three-pointer with a 1.08 minute remaining to give the Grizzlies a decisive 93-91 lead, and the Suns never got back in the game.
It was the fourth straight victory for the Grizzlies.
Zach Randolph had a season-high 32 points, Spaniard Marc Gasol contributed 18 points, and Mike Miller came off the bench to score 15 of his 21 points from behind the arc for Memphis, who clinched their fourth consecutive playoff berth.
Home fans sold out the US Airways Centre Arena, in Phoenix, but the Grizzlies were too efficient offensively with a 51.9% from the field, and the Suns were eliminated from the postseason contention.
It was the first time in the franchise history that Memphis swept the regular series over Phoenix.
After the games, Randolph described the win as a “team effort”, and Gasol reminded the need “to keep the winning streak.”
On Wednesday, Memphis will host the Dallas Mavericks in the battle for the seventh seed in the West.
Indiana clinch top seed in East
In the battle for the top seed of the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat’s 114-93 defeat at Washington Wizards gave the Indiana Pacers, who did not play on Monday, the conference’s top spot.
Trevor Ariza led all scorers with 25 points for the Wizards, who tied the regular-season series at two with reigning champions.
Miami played without LeBron James and Chris Bosh.
With the win Washington lead the Charlotte Bobcats by one in the race for the East’s No 6 seed with a regular-season left.
As a result of the Atlanta Hawks’ 95-93 home loss to the Charlotte Bobcats, they will face Indiana in the first round of the playoff, while the Heat will most likely square off against the 7th seed Bobcats.
Elsewhere the league leading San Antonio Spurs lost 104-98 at Houston Rockets, and the New Orleans Pelicans upset the Oklahoma City Thunder 101-89.
