The Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder clinched NBA playoff berths 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. 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. 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 Dec. 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 Saturday. Trail Blazers 117, Pelicans 112: C.J. McCollum scored 30 points, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with a minute left, and backcourt mate Damian Lillard scored a game-high 33 points to lift the Portland Trail Blazers to a 117-112 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans Friday night at the Smoothie King Center. The Blazers led by as many as 20 points in the first half and did not have to worry about Pelicans star forward Anthony Davis, who injured his left knee late in the first half and left the game with 19 points. Raptors 105, Celtics 91: Kyle Lowry poured in a game-high 32 points, helping the Toronto Raptors to a 105-91 win over the Boston Celtics. The game marked Lowry's 21st career regular season game with 30-plus points. Toronto (46-21) has now won three straight and 12 of 15. Pistons 115, Kings 108: Marcus Morris had 24 points and matched his career high with six 3-pointers as the Detroit Pistons defeated the Sacramento Kings 115-108. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope tossed in 23 points for Detroit (35-34) in its second game of a franchise-record nine-game homestand. Reggie Jackson supplied 19 points, nine assists and seven rebounds as every Pistons starter reached double figures for the 24th time this season — an NBA high. Tobias Harris contributed 17 points and Andre Drummond added his league-high 57th double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Rockets 116, Timberwolves 111: The Houston Rockets came out with noticeable vim and vigor and it carried them to a 116-111 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. James Harden recorded his 19th double-double and matched his career high for assists in a game. Harden finished with 29 points and 14 assists as all five Rockets starters scored in double figures. Suns 95, Lakers 90: Brandon Knight scored 22 points and rookie guard Devin Booker added 21 points, leading the Phoenix Suns to a 95-90 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Tyson Chandler collected 12 points and 17 rebounds for the Suns (19-50), who bounced back from a 103-69 drudging Thursday by the Utah Jazz. P.J. Tucker chipped in 13 points.
