With only a day left until the end of the regular season, four additional Eastern Conference seeds were locked in, creating two more exciting first round matchups with the Toronto Raptors facing the Milwaukee Bucks and the Washington Wizards due to play the Atlanta Hawks.
Thunder takes down Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns may have set a franchise record for most points in a season, but his 26-point, 12-rebound double-double was not enough to prevent the Minnesota Timberwolves from losing 98-100 to OKC. Nigerian-American guard Victor Oladipo had 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Thunder, Domantas Sabonis had 19 points and nine rebounds, while Norris Cole finished with 12 points.
Senegalese center Gorgui Dieng had 19 points and eight rebounds, and Andrew Wiggins ended the game with 18 points and four assists.
Hawks squash Hornets
The Atlanta Hawks are on a four-game winning streak after beating the Charlotte Hornets 103-76. Dwight Howard had a 19-point, 12-rebound double-double, Paul Millsap had 10 points and seven rebounds, and Ersan Ilyasova also had 10 points with six rebounds.
The Hornets were led by Jeremy Lamb with 21 points and five rebounds, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had 10 points and six rebounds, while Treveon Graham finished with 10 points and four rebounds.
Nuggets hit Mavericks
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Dallas Mavericks 109-91. Garry Harris had 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, Mason Plumlee had 16 points and nine rebounds, while Malik Beasley had 16 points and five rebounds.
Dirk Nowitzki had 21 points and eight rebounds for the Mavs, JJ Barea had 13 points, four rebounds and nine assists, while Yogi Ferrell and Dwight Powell combined for 20 with 10 points apiece.
Lakers ground Pelicans
Veteran Metta World Peace led the Los Angeles Lakers past the New Orleans Pelicans 108-96 with 18 points, four rebounds and four steals, Brandon Ingram had 15 points, five rebounds and six assists, and Jordan Clarkson finished with 15 points.
The Pelicans were led by Malian forward Cheick Diallo with a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double, Alexis Ajinca had 14 points and eight rebounds, while Jrue Holiday had 14 points, four rebounds and seven assists.
Kings shade Suns
The Sacramento Kings beat the Phoenix Suns 129-104. Buddy Hield had 30 points and six rebounds, Ty Lawson had a 22-point, 11-rebounds, 12-assist triple-double, and Ben McLemore had 13 points and nine rebounds,
Tyler Ulis led the Suns with 27 points, four rebounds and six assists, Marquese Chriss had 22 points and seven rebounds, while Alan Williams ended the game with a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double.
By Kaunda Chama
