GOLDEN State Warriors went on a massive run in the fourth quarter to oust Los Angeles Clippers, 126-121, in the 9th-10th NBA Western Conference play-in match on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) in Los Angeles.
Down 101-108 with over six minutes left, the Warriors leaned on consecutive three-pointers from Al Horford and inside baskets from Gui Santos and Stephen Curry to take a 117-115 lead.
After the Clippers tied the score at 117-all, the Warriors went on a finishing run courtesy of a triple from Curry, a three-point play from Brandin Podziemski, and free throw from them to complete the comeback win.
Curry top-scored for the Warriors with 35 points, including seven three-pointers, as they moved on to the next phase of the play-in against Phoenix Suns for eighth and final post-season spot in the West.
Santos and Kristaps Porzingis added 20 markers apiece, Podziemski contributed 17 markers, and Horford tallied 14 points, with 12 coming in the fourth period, for the Warriors.
Bennedict Mathurin led the Clippers with 23 points, Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland added 21 apiece, while Brook Lopez, Derrick Jones Jr., and John Collins contributed 17, 13, and 11, respectively.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia 76ers secured the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference after defeating Orlando Magic, 109-97, in the 7th-8th play-in game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Tyrese Maxey led the way with 31 points, including a decisive stretch late in the fourth quarter that helped Philadelphia pull away, while rookie V.J. Edgecombe contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Kelly Oubre Jr. also scored 19. Paul George added 16 points, and Andre Drummond provided a double-double off the bench with 14 points and 10 rebounds for 76ers, which will face No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in the first round.
Desmond Bane paced Orlando with 34 points, continuing his strong season. Paolo Banchero added 18 markers, while Anthony Black and Franz Wagner tallied 13 and 12, respectively.
Orlando will have another chance to make the playoffs. The Magic are set to host the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, with the winner claiming the No. 8 seed and a first-round matchup against the Detroit Pistons./PN
