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NBA playoffs: Pelicans beat the Spurs to clinch final spot in West

Steamers fall from the rafters at Smoothie King Center after Anthony Davis, left, Toney Douglas and Eric Gordon (10) helped secure a playoff spot with a 108-103 victory over the Spurs on Wednesday night.

Steamers fall from the rafters at Smoothie King Center after Anthony Davis, left, Toney Douglas and Eric Gordon (10) helped secure a playoff spot with a 108-103 victory over the Spurs on Wednesday night.

(Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)
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Anthony Davis had 31 points and 13 rebounds and the New Orleans Pelicans earned their first playoff berth since 2011 with a 108-103 victory Wednesday over the visiting San Antonio Spurs.

Davis, who will make his playoff debut against Golden State this weekend, came through in the waning minutes with a pair of clutch jumpers, two blocks and two rebounds to prevent the Spurs from pulling off a 23-point comeback.

Tyreke Evans had 19 points and 11 assists, and Eric Gordon added 14 points for New Orleans, which had to win to make the postseason because Oklahoma City also won in Minnesota. The teams finished with identical records, but the Pelicans held the tiebreaker on head-to-head results.

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Oklahoma City 138, at Minnesota 113: Russell Westbrook scored 37 points, 34 in the first half, to win the scoring title, but the Thunder was eliminated when the Pelicans won. Westbrook (28.1) and Kevin Durant become the first pair of teammates to win consecutive scoring titles since Paul Arizin and Neil Johnston with the Philadelphia Warriors in 1952 and 1953.

at Brooklyn 101, Orlando 88: The Nets kept alive their hopes for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot behind a career-high 28 points from Bojan Bogdanovic and clinched the berth when Memphis — Coach Lionel Hollins’ former team — defeated Indiana a few hours later.

at Memphis 95, Indiana 83: Marc Gasol had 33 points and 13 rebounds and the Grizzlies wrapped up the No. 3 seed in the West while knocking the Pacers out of the playoffs.

at Chicago 91, Atlanta 85: Aaron Brooks scored 23 points and the Bulls rallied from 18 down to hand the top-seeded Hawks their third loss in a row.

at Dallas 114, Portland 98: Tyson Chandler had 22 points and 15 rebounds and the Mavericks won easily while learning they will play Houston in the playoffs.

at Houston 117, Utah 91: James Harden had 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in just three quarters for his fourth triple-double of the season and the Rockets never trailed as they earned the No. 2 seeding in the West.

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Boston 105, at Milwaukee 100: Gigi Datome scored 22 points, including two key buckets in the final three minutes, and the Celtics ended the regular season with their sixth straight win.

at Toronto 92, Charlotte 87: Kyle Lowry scored 26 points and the Raptors wrapped up the regular season with their franchise record 49th victory. Toronto will open the playoffs at home Saturday against Washington.

at Cleveland 113, Washington 110 (OT): LeBron James sat out the Cavaliers’ regular-season finale to rest for the playoffs.

Miami 105, at Philadelphia 101: The Heat’s win paired with Brooklyn’s win meant Miami is all but assured of keeping its top-10 draft pick. If Miami owns the No. 10 pick or better after the draft lottery, the Heat keeps that selection.

Detroit 112, at New York 90: Reggie Jackson had 24 points and 11 assists and the Pistons closed out the season by routing the hapless Knicks (17-65).

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