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Timberwolves top Nuggets in OT for final playoff spot, 76ers win 16th straight

The Minnesota Timberwolves secured a postseason berth in the NBA as the playoff-bound Philadelphia 76ers stayed hot.

Karl-Anthony Towns shoots the ball over Paul Millsap

Minnesota, April 12: The Minnesota Timberwolves secured a postseason berth in the NBA as the playoff-bound Philadelphia 76ers stayed hot.

The Timberwolves secured the final playoff spot up for grabs on Wednesday (April 11) in a thrilling 112-106 overtime-win against the Denver Nuggets.

Jimmy Butler scored 31 points and Karl-Anthony Towns added 26 and 14 rebounds in 47 minutes for the Wolves, who will be the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

The Timberwolves will play the Houston Rockets in the opening round.

After falling to the New Orleans Pelicans midweek, the San Antonio Spurs dropped to seventh and will take on reigning NBA champions the Golden Warriors in the opening series.

By beating the Utah Jazz, the Portland Trail Blazers clinched the third seed in the west and will meet the Pelicans, while the Jazz go head-to-head with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Here is how the seedings shake out in the Eastern Conference:

(1) Raptors vs (8) Wizards (2) Celtics vs (7) Bucks (3) 76ers vs (6) Heat (4) Cavaliers vs (5) Pacers

WESTBROOK: THE TRIPLE-DOUBLE KING

With his 16th rebound against the Memphis Grizzlies, reigning MVP Russell Westbrook became the first player to average a triple-double in multiple seasons.

The Philadelphia 76ers won their 16th straight game as Markelle Fultz had his first career triple-double with 13 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in a 130-95 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

WIZARDS MISS CHANCE

With the Sixers and Heat winning, the Washington Wizards had a perfect chance to clinch the coveted seventh seed in the east and face the injury-depleted Boston Celtics in first round. Instead, Washington lost to the hapless Orlando Magic 101-92 after scoring just 17 points in the fourth quarter.

The Wizards ended the regular season losing nine of their last 12 games and are in danger of getting swept by the Toronto Raptors.

DAVIS LEADS ROUT OF SPURS

Anthony Davis and the Pelicans routed the San Spurs 122-98 on the final night of the regular season.

WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS

Minnesota Timberwolves 112-106 (OT) Denver Nuggets; Orlando Magic 101-92 Washington Wizards; New York Knicks 110-98 Cleveland Cavaliers; Oklahoma City Thunder 137-123 Memphis Grizzlies; Philadelphia 76ers 130-95 Milwaukee Bucks; Boston Celtics 110-97 Brooklyn Nets; New Orleans Pelicans 122-98 San Antonio Spurs; Miami Heat 116-109 (OT) Toronto Raptors; Detroit Pistons 119-87 Chicago Bulls; Los Angeles Lakers 115-110 Los Angeles Clippers; Sacramento Kings 96-83 Houston Rockets; Portland Trail Blazers 102-93 Utah Jazz

WHAT'S NEXT?

The playoffs start on Saturday.

Source: OPTA

Story first published: Thursday, April 12, 2018, 12:44 [IST]
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