Clippers clinch rare berth in playoffs
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, April 18, 2012
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Blake Griffin slams dunk in front of Kevin Durant in LA Clippers' win over the Thunders on April 17, 2012. |
The streaking Los Angeles Clippers knocked Oklahoma City out of first place in the Western Conference with a forceful 92-77 victory on Monday that clinched the hosts a first playoff berth in six years.
Nick Young led a balanced attack with 19 points off the bench, Blake Griffin added 17 and 11 rebounds and the Clippers overwhelmed the visiting Thunder in the second half to reach the post-season for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign.
"It feels great, especially to do it against one of the top teams in the league," Young said. "I was too excited (after the game). I ran to the back and was slapping hands with everyone."
Winners in 12 of their last 14 games, the Clippers (38-23) also have a shot at their first ever division title, trailing the Los Angeles Lakers by a game in the Pacific Division, and for third in the West.
The Thunder (44-17), meanwhile, slipped percentage points behind San Antonio in their see-saw tussle for the top seed in the conference.
In other games, it was: Jazz 123, Mavericks 121 (triple OT); Heat 101, Nets 98; Hornets 75, Bobcats 67; Wizards 87, Bulls 84, Nuggets 105, Rockets 102; and Hawks 109, Raptors 87.
Elsewhere, it was: Pacers 111, Timberwolves 88; Magic 113, 76ers 100; Suns 125, Trail Blazers 107; and Spurs 120, Warriors 99;
In Salt Lake City, Al Jefferson scored 28 points and equaled a career-high with 26 rebounds as the Utah Jazz defeated Dallas 123-121 Monday in triple-overtime.
In Newark, New Jersey, LeBron James scored Miami's final 17 points in a furious one-man rally, finishing with 37 to lead the Heat past the Nets.
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