Clippers, Paul hammer 76ers
PHILADELPHIA—Chris Paul scored 25 points, DeAndre Jordan had 17 points and 20 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers cruised to a 119-98 win over the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA on Friday.
JJ Redick added 19 points for the Clippers, who won their sixth consecutive game to help its chances for homecourt edge in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Rookie Nerlens Noel had career-high 30 points and 14 rebounds for Philadelphia. The 76ers, in rebuilding mode, have the third-worst record in the NBA and own six picks—including two in the first-round—in the upcoming NBA Draft.
The Toronto Raptors clinched their second straight Atlantic Division title, beating the Los Angeles Lakers, 94-83, behind 18 points from Lou Williams and 19 from Jonas Valanciunas.
James Johnson had 17 points, Amir Johnson 11 and Terrence Ross 10 as the Raptors bounced back from two losses and beat the Lakers for the first time since Dec. 8, 2013.
Stephen Curry had 38 points and 10 assists and the Golden State Warriors won their 60th game, matching a franchise record, 107-84, over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Joe Johnson and Brook Lopez each scored 20 points, and the Brooklyn Nets ended the Cleveland Cavaliers’ four-game winning streak with a 106-98 victory.
DeMarre Carroll scored 24 points and the Atlanta Hawks clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 99-86 victory over the Miami Heat.
The Hawks wrapped up the No. 1 seed and homecourt advantage in the conference playoffs when Brooklyn beat Cleveland 106-98.
In other games Friday, the Detroit Pistons had a 111-97 win over the Orlando Magic; the Washington Wizards edged the Charlotte Hornets, 110-107, in overtime; the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Sacramento Kings, 102-88; and the Houston Rockets clinched a playoff spot with a 120-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. AP
