The New Orleans Pelicans moved closer to securing an NBA playoff berth with a 135-123 victory over the Sacramento Kings.
With two games remaining, the Pelicans currently hold the sixth spot in the Western Conference, which guarantees a playoff berth. CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 31 points each, with McCollum also contributing nine three-pointers and seven assists.
In other games, the top-seeded Boston Celtics suffered their second consecutive defeat, falling to the New York Knicks 118-109. Jalen Brunson starred for the Knicks with 39 points, his fifth straight game with over 35 points. Josh Hart added 16 points and 16 rebounds, while Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 11 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists.
The Chicago Bulls secured the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference with a 127-105 victory over the Detroit Pistons. DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 39 points and seven assists, ensuring home-court advantage for their play-in game against the Atlanta Hawks.
Steph Curry guided the Golden State Warriors to a crucial 100-92 win over the Portland Trail Blazers with 22 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. The win was the Warriors’ third straight, securing their ninth spot in the standings and a play-in place.
The Utah Jazz ended their 13-game losing streak with a narrow 124-121 victory over the Houston Rockets. Keyonte George scored 20 points and Brice Sensabaugh added 17 to hand the Rockets their sixth loss in seven games, leaving them just outside the play-in places in 11th position.
In the NBA, the top six teams in each conference qualify directly for the playoffs, while teams ranked seventh to 10th compete in play-in games for the final two playoff spots.