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51 points for Lillard in a win over Portland, New Orleans and Sacramento outside the playoffs

Another step on the way to the playoffs: Lillard swept Portland to 121: 124 over Philadelphia, Carmelo climbed to 15th place in all-time scoring, Ambide was injured. Following the victory: Zion will not be in the playoffs, a tournament will determine the eighth-place finisher. And also: the Clippers stumbled, a career high for Austin Rivers

• NBA
• Oklahoma City Thunder
• Washington Wizards
• Toronto Raptors
• Memphis Grizzlies

Walla! sport

The picture of the playoffs in the West became clearer tonight (Sunday through Monday) after a series of crucial results. San Antonio first defeated New Orleans and survived, then a big play by Damien Lillard against Philadelphia left Portland close to eighth place, and finally ruled that the Pelicans and Kings would not be in the playoffs. Other than that, Boston recorded a victory over Orlando in overtime and the Austrian Rivers career high swept Houston to its own victory.

Tonight's results:

Oklahoma City (26:43) - Washington (46:24) 103: 121
Toronto (19:50) - Memphis (38:33) 99: 108
New Orleans (40:30) - San Antonio (38:31 ) 122: 113
Boston (23:47) - Orlando (39:32) 119: 122 (overtime)
Portland (39:33) - Philadelphia (28:42) 121: 124
Sacramento (41:29) - Houston (25: 44) 129: 112
LA Clippers (23:47) - Brooklyn (36:34) 129: 120

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Portland (39:33) - Philadelphia (28:42) 121: 124

Just yesterday Damian Lillard missed two critical free throws against the Clippers and suffered insults from Paul George and Patrick Beverly at the end, but tonight he was the one to laugh last with a show of character and talent. The Blazers had 51 points, 18 of them in the close final quarter, and they decided the fate of no less than three teams: the Blazers came as close as half a game from the Grizzlies in eighth place in the West, while New Orleans and Sacramento stayed out of the playoffs. Circumstances also helped Lillard and the Blazers, who saw Joel Ambide worryingly injured in the first quarter and not returning to the floor. Without him and without the injured Ben Simmons, the Sixers tried to fight but did not prevent the loss. Alongside the 51 points, Lillard added 7 assists, with Carmelo Anthony closing his own milestone, adding 20 points and taking 15th place on the all-time scoring list in the league at the expense of Paul Pierce. Josh Richardson's 34-point season record was not enough for Philly.

LA Clippers (23:47) - Brooklyn (36:34) 129: 120

The Clippers' instability in the bubble continued: After the rise, victory and trash talk against Portland, came a shocking first quarter from Kwai and his teammates, who finished with a lag of no less than 21 points. Leonard, who had to make do this time without Paul George getting a rest, slowly got the Clippers back on track, but a light pressure on the gas from Brooklyn in the closing minutes guaranteed them the win. Chris Lewart (27 and 13 assists), Joe Harris (25) and Tyler Johnson (21) stood out for the winner, while Kwai's 39 points prevented another stumble.

Boston (23:47) - Orlando (39:32) 119: 122 (overtime)

A combined effort by Gordon Hayward and Jason Taitum helped the Celtics win a battle between two teams whose position is already known. Boston, who finish third in the East, received five straight points from Taitum in the final minute of legal time, alongside his big block on Trans Ross with 2.1 seconds left. In added time it was Hayward who took matters into his own hands, and his three free throws two minutes into overtime turned out to be crucial. Hayward finished top of the Celtics' standings with 31 alongside 9 rebounds and 5 assists, Taitum came in at 29, 9 and 6 and Jaylen Brown added 19 and 12 rebounds. The Magic was led by Nikola Wojciech with a double-double of 26 points and 11 rebounds.

Sacramento (41:29) - Houston (25:44) 129: 112

The Kings have finally lost a chance to advance to the playoffs sponsored by an explosion of the Rockets' X Factor, Austin Rivers. The Shooting Guard came off the bench to set a career-high 41 points, which was enough for a relaxed victory. James Harden recorded another fine offensive game with 32 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, while the loser on the other hand gets 26 points and 9 assists from Diaron Fox, but not much more than that.

Toronto (19:50) - Memphis (38:33) 99: 108

Memphis could have at least secured entry to the tournament on 8-9 places with a win, but would have to keep fighting for entry into the playoffs. After a first quarter in which they scored just 20 points, the Raptors recovered and bombarded no less than 40 in the second to go down to the locker rooms with a 54:60 advantage. In the third quarter Pascal Siakam pressed the pedal and helped the champion escape to 62:77, Dillon Brooks further shrank to only 95:92, 3:30 minutes to go, but the excellent Siakam responded with two straight threes and closed interest to secure second place in the East. The forward led Toronto with 26 points and forgot the defeat to Boston, Norman Powell added 16 and Kyle Laurie contributed 15, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals and no less than 9 turnovers. Brooks scored 25 for the loser, Grayson Allen added 20 and Ja Morant contributed 17 (7 of 19 from the field) and 10 assists.

Oklahoma City (26:43) - Washington (46:24) 103: 121

The Thunder are recovering from the defeat to Memphis and retain a chance to finish in fourth place in the West. For Washington, arguably the weakest team in the bubble, this is the fifth straight loss. Oklahoma City had no trouble for a moment, running away in the second quarter to 33:51 and no longer looking back. In the third quarter, the advantage grew to 54:76, and what was left for Washington was to try and sweeten the pill. It didn't really work. Darius Beasley injured from the bench and led the winner with 23 points, Danilo Glinari added 20. Jerome Robinson led the Wizards with 19 points.

New Orleans (40:30) - San Antonio (38:31) 122: 113

Greg Popovich's team with a second consecutive victory, and retains the chances to take eighth place. The Pelicans, on the other hand, finally lost a chance to advance to the playoffs. Damar Drusen (27) was the Spurs man when a good performance on the other side of Jay. Jay. Reddick (31) and Zion Williamson (25) did not help New Orleans, which recorded a second straight loss.