The Golden State Warriors became the first team in the Western Conference to clinch a play-off spot with a 110-88 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Steph Curry scored 33 points for the Warriors, who were still missing an injured Kevin Durant, but Klay Thompson was on hand to provide the back-up with 23 points.
The win means the Warriors – who cannot finish any worse than in eighth place – move into their seventh straight play-off berth.
Clinched. ✅ pic.twitter.com/q15VOLhCwh — Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 17, 2019
The San Antonio Spurs extended their winning run to eight games as they overcame the Portland Trail Blazers 108-103.
DeMar DeRozan finished with 21 points for the Spurs but there was further disappointment for Portland after CJ McCollum exited the court in the third quarter with a leg injury.
In New Orleans, the Phoenix Suns edged the Pelicans 138-136 in a nail-biting finish at the Smoothie King Center.
JJ DRAINS IT!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/zY45UJz8Io — Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 17, 2019
Coach Alvin Gentry called for a timeout after Josh Jackson tied the game with a three-pointer in the dying seconds of overtime, but the Pelicans had used up all their timeout calls and were assessed a technical foul.
Devin Booker made sure to hit the free throw, leaving Phoenix to run with the lead from there and hand New Orleans their sixth loss in a row.
It was a better night for the Dallas Mavericks, who snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 121-116 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Time to head home after putting up a good fight in Dallas. pic.twitter.com/DSW1XBbOJl — Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 17, 2019
Tim Hardaway Jr top-scored for Dallas with 22 points and Dirk Nowitzki finished with 14.
Cleveland have now lost their last three games.
The Denver Nuggets strengthened their hold on a play-off spot with a 102-100 win against the Indiana Pacers, while Donovan Mitchell's 24 points helped Utah Jazz defeat the Brooklyn Nets 144-98.
Kyrie Irving finished just shy of a triple-double with 30 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in the Boston Celtics' 129-120 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, and Bradley Beal scored 40 points as the Washington Wizards saw off the Memphis Grizzlies 135-128.
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