Pacers closer to No.1 playoff spot in East

By Agencies – Global Times Source:Agencies - Global Times Published: 2014-4-14 22:58:01

Lance Stephenson (No.1) of the Indiana Pacers shoots against Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday (US time). Photo: AFP



Lance Stephenson finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists on Sunday (US time) as Indiana beat Oklahoma City 102-97 to move a step closer to clinching home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Paul George hit the go-ahead three-pointer with just over two minutes left for the Pacers who climbed a half game ahead of Miami, which were idle on Sunday, for the top seed in the East.

The Pacers, who lost at Miami on ­Friday, finished with the NBA's best home mark at 35-6 and will complete the regular season on Wednesday at Orlando.

The Heat will play at Washington and host Philadelphia for the last two regular-­season games, but it's Indiana who own the tiebreaker and control their own ­destiny.

Stephenson posted his NBA-leading fifth triple-double of the year. George ­tallied 20 points and 12 rebounds, while David West scored 21 as the Pacers won for just the third time in nine games.

Kevin Durant scored 38 while Russell Westbrook added 21 points, nine boards and seven assists for Oklahoma City, which had a three-game winning streak halted.

The Thunder will next play at New ­Orleans and host Detroit to cap the regular ­season. They are two games ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers for the No.2 seed.

Also on Sunday, point guard Mike Conley scored 24 points and handed out eight assists as the Memphis Grizzlies used a second-half run to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 102-90 and stay in playoff position.

The Grizzlies have won four of their last five and hold a one-game lead over the idle Phoenix Suns in a clash for the eighth spot in the Western Conference playoff race.

The Lakers dropped their seventh in a row.

Elsewhere, Golden State forward Draymon Green's three-point attempt bounced off the back rim in the final seconds of overtime, giving Portland a 119-117 victory over the Warriors.

Green's three-pointer with 3.6 seconds left in regulation forced the extra session but the Warriors squandered Stephen ­Curry's 47-point night.

The victory clinched at least the fifth playoff spot in the West for the Trail Blazers. The Houston Rockets are in fourth place, a half game ahead of Portland.

Golden State will be in the playoffs, but their hold on the West's sixth seed is slipping. Dallas are a half game back and Memphis Grizzlies are one game behind the Warriors.

Agencies - Global Times

Posted in: Basketball

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