The Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday flirted with defeat, but beat the Portland Trail Blazers and almost secured their spot in the playoffs.
The Angelinos managed to lose the first half against a rival who was completely out of time at the end of the season. In the third quarter, however, he took the reins of the game and defined the victory by 136-125.
With the result, the Californian team improved fifth place in the West. So, you only need to beat the Phoenix Suns this Sunday to take the direct spot in the playoffs as fifth in the conference.
But the game afternoon had a few more things. The Minnesota Timberwolves confirmed the expectations, beat the San Antonio Spurs and, thus, are guaranteed in the play-in of the West.
The team, however, can still rise from ninth place this Sunday. The Denver Nuggets, meanwhile, traveled in full to Salt Lake City and ended up stunned by the Utah Jazz.
Portland
Kevin Knox: 30 points (10-15 FG) and 11 rebounds
Shaedon Sharpe: 26 points
Trenton Watford: 24 points in 26 minutes
Shaquille Harrison: 13 points, six rebounds, 11 assists and four steals
LA Clippers
Kawhi Leonard: 27 points, eight rebounds
Norman Powell: 23 points, five assists
Russell Westbrook: 20 points, six rebounds, six assists
Ivica Zubac: 14 points, ten rebounds
Minnesota
Anthony Edwards: 33 points, five rebounds
Karl-Anthony Towns: 22 points, eight rebounds, eight assists
Mike Conley: 20 points, five assists
Jaden McDaniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 16 points each
Taurean Prince: 15 points
Rudy Gobert: ten points , 13 rebounds, five assists and four blocks
Saint Anthony
Julian Champagnie: 24 points
Keita Bates-Diop: 22 points, five assists
Tre Jones: 21 points, ten rebounds, 12 assists
Malaki Branham: 17 points
Sandro Mamukelashvili: 16 points, six rebounds
Blake Wesley: 14 points, five rebounds
