Los Angeles: The Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder clinched NBA play-off berths on Friday as reigning champions Golden State continued to roll toward the post-season with a win at Dallas.
In Orlando, Kyrie Irving scored 26 points and added five assists to lead the Cavaliers to a 109-103 victory over the Magic.
Irving, who had 33 points Wednesday in a victory over Dallas, scored 10 points in the decisive fourth quarter as the Cavs overcame a big night from Magic guard Victor Oladipo.
Oladipo scored a career-high 45 points, but only six in the fourth period.
Cleveland superstar LeBron James, back after resting one game, had 18 points, eight assists and seven rebounds as the Cavs improved their East-leading record to 49-19.
They made their playoff spot official, but coach Tyronn Lue said there was no time to celebrate.
“We thought we were going to make the playoffs, so it wasn’t really a big deal to clinch,” Lue said. “We have bigger things ahead of us.”
Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant again led the way for the Oklahoma City Thunder as the Northwest Division clinched a playoff berth with a 111-97 victory over the lowly 76ers in Philadelphia.
Westbrook delivered his league-leading 13th triple-double of the season with 20 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists.
“I come out and compete every night at a high level and try to keep my energy up for my teammates,” Westbrook said. “I think it’s fun to see where we’re playing the right way. It’s fun for our guys to see everybody happy playing the right way.”
Durant added 26 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, scoring at least 20 points for the 54th straight game.
Enes Kanter scored 16 points and Steven Adams had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Thunder, who improved to 47-22.
They are third in the Western Conference behind the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs.
The Warriors improved to 62-6 with a 130-112 triumph over the Dallas Mavericks. The Warriors avenged one of their six defeats this season - a loss in Dallas on December 30 when reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry was sidelined with a minor injury.
This time Curry scored 31 points, Klay Thompson scored 39 and made 10 of 15 from three-point range as the Warriors warmed-up for their marquee matchup with the Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday.
