NBA ROUNDUP : Nuggets Extended Before Final Showdown

It was an exciting late-season double-overtime game, but it was merely a warm-up for today’s showdown for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.

Denver, however, prevailed, 130-129, over the Golden State Warriors in Oakland as Bryan Stith made two free throws with 6.2 seconds left in the second overtime and Reggie Williams scored 27 points heading into today’s game with the visiting Sacramento Kings.

The victory, which gave Denver a one-game lead over Sacramento, was basically meaningless because the Kings had a chance at the playoff spot no matter the outcome since a victory today will give the teams identical records and the Kings hold the edge for winning the season series.

Donyell Marshall led Golden State with 29 points and Chris Mullin added 25. The Warriors finished 15-26 at home, matching their worst home mark since the NBA went to an 82-game schedule in the 1960s.

Chicago 116, Charlotte 100--Charlotte and Chicago saved all their intensity for after the game, when the first-round playoff opponents battled for the psychological edge in Chicago.

“No one is giving us a shot at this series from the get-go. They’re already talking about facing Orlando. That’s amazing,” Coach Allan Bristow said after his Hornets went through the motions in losing to the Bulls, the Hornets’ first-round playoff opponent.

Bull Coach Phil Jackson said recently that his team matches up well with Charlotte. But Michael Jordan, who had 19 points along with Toni Kukoc in leading the Bulls to a 13-3 record since coming out of retirement, said Chicago’s players respect the Hornets.

“As a team, we know that Charlotte is a challenge,” he said. “We’re not looking past anyone. We believe we have a battle in front of us, but we believe we can beat this team.”

The game certainly lacked playoff intensity. Bristow rested Alonzo Mourning and Muggsy Bogues because of injuries that aren’t expected to hinder them in the playoffs. And Jackson gave backups extensive playing time.

Scottie Pippen and B.J. Armstrong added 17 points apiece for the Bulls, who go into today’s regular-season finale at Milwaukee on a 12-1 run. Larry Johnson scored 29 points for the Hornets.