LeBron James scored 30 factors because the Los Angeles Lakers muscled their method into the NBA playoffs on Tuesday with an exhilarating come-from-behind 108-102 additional time victory in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Lakers clinched seventh seed and superior to a Western Conference first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies beginning on Sunday after a pulsating duel on the Crypto.com Arena.
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The Timberwolves can have a second likelihood to attain the postseason once they face both New Orleans or Oklahoma City on Friday the place the eighth seeding within the Western Conference will probably be up for grabs.
New Orleans and Oklahoma City face one another on Wednesday to decide who advances to that sport.
“This is what our sport is all about -– getting to April and having a possibility to play within the postseason,” the 38-year-old James said after the win. “We’ve been battle-tested all year and since the All-Star break we’ve been playing some good basketball.”
A nerve-jangling fourth quarter noticed the Lakers battle again from a 10-point deficit to transfer to the brink of victory after James engineered a three-pointer for German worldwide Dennis Schroder to put Los Angeles 98-95 forward with simply 1.4 seconds remaining.
But as the house crowd ready to rejoice, Anthony Davis was known as for a rash foul on Mike Conley because the Timberwolves veteran tried a determined game-tying late three.
Conley’s effort missed however he duly stepped up to drain three free-throws beneath excruciating stress to knot the sport at 98-98 and pressure additional time.
Yet the Lakers regrouped to begin additional time with a flurry of factors, Rui Hachimura’s three-pointer and a Schroder layup placing Los Angeles 5 factors clear at 103-98.
The Lakers saved their noses in entrance and after a missed three-point try by Taurean Prince that might have tied it for Minnesota, the hosts closed out the win.
Atlanta Hawks 116-105 Miami Heat
In Tuesday’s different play-in sport, Trae Young scored 25 factors because the Atlanta Hawks booked their place within the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 116-105 win over the Miami Heat.
Atlanta’s bench mixed to rating 53 factors to silence the Miami crowd and ship the Hawks right into a first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Boston Celtics.
Miami will now face the winner of Wednesday’s sport between Toronto and Chicago to decide the eighth and ultimate seed within the Eastern Conference playoffs.
“We introduced the physicality to them,” Young said after the win. “They’re known for being a very physical team and trying to bully a lot of teams on the defensive end.
“And if you don’t match their physicality you can get beat. Tonight I think we matched their physicality and it showed.”
Young led an excellent all-round offensive workforce effort from Atlanta, who noticed seven gamers end in double figures.
Dejounte Murray posted 18 factors, whereas Saddiq Bey added 17.
Atlanta took a stranglehold on the sport after a dominant first-half show, outhustling a sluggish Miami line-up at each ends of the court docket to shortly open up a double-digit lead.
The Hawks moved 9 factors clear on the finish of the primary quarter at 36-27 after which accelerated away within the second to lead by 24 factors at 63-39.
Only a late 11-0 Miami run to shut the half -– Kyle Lowry taking his first-half tally to 19 factors — saved the scoreline respectable however Atlanta however nonetheless reached half-time with a hefty 65-50 lead.
Young led the Atlanta scoring within the first half with 13 factors and 6 assists, together with one very good behind-the-back cross within the second quarter to arrange a three-pointer for Bey.
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Clint Capela additionally delivered an enormous defensive efficiency for Atlanta, hauling in 21 rebounds and making two essential blocks within the first half to stymie Miami’s offense.
Miami rallied to begin the second half with a 13-4 run and closed to inside 5 factors at one stage within the third quarter.
But Atlanta had been at all times ready to increase the sport at key moments to shut out the win.
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