NBA PLAYOFF PICTURE SET AS NUGGETS TAKE THIRD.

The Denver Nuggets sealed the Western Conference’s third seed with a 128-118 win
over the San Antonio Spurs, extending their winning run to 12 games.
Nikola Jokic led the way with 23 first-half points, playing just over 18 minutes as
Denver built a lead they never surrendered. They will face the Minnesota
Timberwolves in the first round.
The Los Angeles Lakers finished fourth after a 131-107 victory and will meet the
Houston Rockets in a high-profile series.
In the East, the Toronto Raptors surged to fifth with a 136-101 win, setting up a clash
with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Miami Heat beat the Atlanta Hawks 143-117 to prepare for the play-in, while the
Portland Trail Blazers secured the West’s eighth seed.