Nuggets qualify for post-season
April 22, 2012 19:05:23 UK
The Denver Nuggets clinched a play-off place and also hurt the Suns' chances with a 118-107 victory at the US Airways Center in Phoenix.
Ty Lawson had a game-high 29 points and also dished out 10 assists as the Nuggets responded well to Wednesday's home defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Rookie Kenneth Faried grabbed 13 rebounds to go with 18 points as six Denver players were in double figures.
The Nuggets play their final home game of the regular season on Sunday evening against the Orlando Magic, before finishing on the road against possible first round opponent Oklahoma City and Minnesota.
The Magic are 6.00 to beat Denver on Sunday evening, with the Nuggets 1.14 to secure a victory.
The Utah Jazz moved into the final playoff place in the Western Conference with a 117-107 overtime defeat of the Orlando Magic.
Al Jefferson and Devin Harris each scored 21 points and Derrick Favors came off the bench to record a double-double in 36 minutes of work as the Jazz moved a game ahead of the Phoenix Suns and the Houston Rockets with two games to play.
The Rockets halted their six-game slide with a three-point victory over the visiting Golden State Warriors.
Rookie Klay Thompson continued his fine play for the Warriors with a game-high 24 points, but couldn't prevent Golden State slumping to their eighth consecutive loss.
Houston has a tough game in Miami on Sunday evening and will hope that LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade are all missing for the Heat.
Phoenix and Utah don't play until Tuesday when the Suns travel to Salt Lake City to play the Jazz.
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