NBA roundup: Thunder, Pelicans down to wire for last West playoff spot

Russell Westbrook scored 36 points Monday night, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 101-90, at Oklahoma City to keep its playoff hopes alive.

Westbrook had picked up his 16th technical foul at Indiana on Sunday, which would have been an automatic one-game suspension. But it was rescinded by the NBA on Monday morning, allowing him to play in a crucial game for the Thunder, which remained tied with New Orleans for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.

Both teams are 44-37 with one game to play. The Thunder plays at Minnesota, the NBA’s worst team, on Wednesday, while the Pelicans are at home against San Antonio, second in the West and winner of 11 straight. If the teams finish tied in the standings, New Orleans owns the tiebreaker and would go the playoffs.

New Orleans 100, at Minnesota 88: Anthony Davis had 24 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks to move the Pelicans one step closer to a playoff berth. Zach LaVine, a rookie from UCLA, had 24 points, seven assists and five rebounds for the Timberwolves (16-65), who dropped below the New York Knicks (17-64) for the worst record in the league.

at Golden State 111, Memphis 107: The Grizzlies’ reserves rallied frantically in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Warriors 41-18, but Memphis still came up short in a loss that hurt its chances for home court in the first round of the playoffs. Klay Thompson scored 42 points for Golden State.

Chicago 113, at Brooklyn 86: Nikola Mirotic scored 26 points, Pau Gasol had 22 points and 11 rebounds, and the Bulls clinched home-court advantage in the first round of the East playoffs.

at Cleveland 109, Detroit 97: LeBron James returned from a day off to record a triple-double (21 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds) as the Cavaliers, second in the East, tuned up for the playoffs.

Milwaukee 107, at Philadelphia 97: Michael Carter-Williams matched his season-high with 30 points in his first game back in Philadelphia with the playoff-bound Bucks.

Houston 100, at Charlotte 90: James Harden scored 29 points as the Rockets (55-26) moved back into a tie with San Antonio atop the Southwest Division.

at Miami 100, Orlando 93: Hassan Whiteside’s 24 points and 13 rebounds helped the Heat kept its flickering playoff hopes alive. Miami needs a win at Philadelphia on Wednesday and help in three other games.

New York 112, at Atlanta 108: Rookie Langston Galloway scored a career-high 26 points, and the Knicks stunned the Hawks, who long ago clinched top seeding in the East.

at Utah 109, Dallas 92: Rudy Gobert had 20 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks to help the Jazz beat the playoff-bound Mavericks.

at Clippers 110, Denver 103

at Sacramento 102, Lakers 92