Dwight Howard had 19 points and 12 rebounds as the resurgent Atlanta Hawks won their fourth straight game, routing the listless Charlotte Hornets 103-76 Tuesday night to wrap up the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks will face the Washington Wizards in the opening round of the playoffs. A week ago, Atlanta's playoff hopes were in jeopardy after a dismal stretch that included two losses to Brooklyn, the worst team in the NBA. Then, in a sudden turnaround that epitomized the team's maddening inconsistency this season, the Hawks knocked off East-leading Boston and recorded two straight stunning victories over the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers, including Sunday's comeback from a 26-point deficit. This one was never in doubt. Charlotte played its regular-season finale already eliminated from the playoffs and without its best player, Kemba Walker. The Hawks also received 10 points and seven rebounds from Paul Millsap and 10 points from Ersan Ilyasova. Thunder 100, Timberwolves 98: Victor Oladipo scored 20 points, including the game-winning jumper with six seconds left, as Oklahoma City held off Minnesota. Domantas Sabonis had 19 points as six players scored in double figures for the short-handed Thunder, who were without star guard Russell Westbrook as he missed his first game of the season to rest. Oklahoma City is the No. 6 seed in the West. Kyle Singler tied a season high with 11 points, and Norris Cole had 12 points off the bench for the Thunder, who were also without Andre Roberson (rest), Taj Gibson (rest) and Doug McDermott (knee soreness). Nuggets 109, Mavericks 91: Gary Harris scored 20 points to lead Denver over Dallas in a game that former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo watched from the bench in a Mavericks uniform. The Nuggets had four others score in double figures — Mason Plumlee (16), Malik Beasley (16), Juan Hernangomez (14) and Jamal Murray (10). Murray added 10 rebounds for Denver, which was eliminated from playoff contention Sunday. Dallas was without Harrison Barnes, Wesley Matthews and Seth Curry, while the Nuggets didn't suit up Danilo Gallinari, Emmanuel Mudiay, Kenneth Faried, Will Barton and Jameer Nelson. Lakers 108, Pelicans 96: Metta World Peace scored 18 points and Los Angeles extended its winning streak to five games with a victory over short-handed New Orleans. Jordan Clarkson and Brandon Ingram contributed 15 points apiece for the Lakers, who won five straight for the first time since the end of the 2012-13 regular season. David Nwaba added 14 points for Los Angeles. The Pelicans played without DeMarcus Cousins (right Achilles tendinitis) and Anthony Davis (left knee soreness). Cheick Diallo came off the bench to score 19 points and grab 11 rebounds for the Pelicans, who lost their fifth consecutive contest. Alexis Ajinca and Jrue Holiday each chipped in 14 points. Kings 129, Suns 104: Ty Lawson scored 22 points, handed out 12 assists and grabbed 11 rebounds in what may have been his final home game with Sacramento. Rookie Buddy Hield led the Kings with a game-high 30 points, complementing Lawson's first career triple-double, and Sacramento concluded the debut season in its new arena by beating Phoenix for the third time in four meetings. Tyler Ulis scored 27 points for the Suns, and Marquese Chriss added 22. — Agencies
