NBA Daily Blog: Spurs secure top seed out West with win over the Trail Blazers at home 124-89. 76ers secure final playoff berth out East with win over the Nets in their final game in New Jersey 105-87.

Tim Duncan gets the rebound.

Photo ©NBA/Spurs.com

The San Antonio Spurs lock up the top seed in the Western Conference for the 2nd consecutive  year with a victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at the AT&T Center 124-89. The Spurs improve to 48-16 with a 2 game advantage over the #2 seed Oklahoma City Thunder. While the Trail Blazers drop to 28-37 in 11th place out West.

The Spurs were led by Tim Duncan and Danny Green with both scoring 18 points each. Duncan also added 8 rebounds and 4 blocks. Tony Parker added 13 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Stephen Jackson and Gary Neal both off the bench each scored 12 points. Jackson added 5 steals and 2 blocks. James Anderson scored 11.

The Trail Blazers were led by Wesley Matthews with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals. J.J. Hickson finished with a double-double 14 points and 10 rebounds with 2 blocks. Raymond Felton added 13 points, 7 assists and 2 steals. Rookie Nolan Smith off the bench added 10 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

Jrue Holday shoots over Sundiata Gaines

Photo ©NBA/Sixers.com

The Philadelphia 76ers secure the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with a victory over the New Jersey Nets who played their final game in New Jersey after 35 seasons at the Prudential Center as the Nets will move to Brooklyn, New York starting next season 105-87. With the win, the 76ers improve to 34-30 with a 3 game advantage over the Milwaukee Bucks whom with the 76ers win have been knocked out of playoff contention. While the Nets drop to 22-43 in 11th place out East.

The 76ers were led by Elton Brand, Jrue Holiday and Thaddeus Young with each scoring 15 points. Brand added 6 rebounds and 4 blocks. Holiday added 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Andre Iguodala added 14 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. Evan Turner added 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists off the bench. Lou Williams scored 11.

The Nets were led by rookie MarShon Brooks with 18 points, 4 assists and 2 steals. Kris Humphries finished with a double-double 16 points and 12 rebounds. Gerald Wallace added 11 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Johan Petro and Armon Johnson off the bench each scored 10.

In Washington, DC, the Washington Wizards defeat the Charlotte Bobcats who have now lost their 21st consecutive game at the Verizon Center 101-73. Nene off the bench led the Wizards with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks. John Wall finished with a double-double 16 points and 14 assists with 5 rebounds. Rookie Jan Vesely also scored 16 points with 6 rebounds and 4 steals. Kevin Seraphin added 12 points and 8 rebounds. Gerald Henderson led the Bobcats with 19 points and 5 rebounds. D.J. Augustin added 15 points and 6 assists.

In Indianapolis, the Indiana Pacers pick up the win in a Central Division showdown over the Detroit Pistons at Bankers Life Fieldhouse 103-97. The Pacers who played without their stars Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert were led by Paul George with a double-double 27 points and 10 rebounds with 3 steals. David West added 20 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. Leandro Barbosa and Tyler Hansbrough both off the bench each scored 13. Barbosa also added 9 rebounds and 4 steals. Hansbrough added 8 rebounds. Jeff Pendergraph added 10 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks. Greg Monroe led the Pistons with a double-double 18 points and 12 rebounds. Rookie Brandon Knight scored 16. Tayshaun Prince scored 14. Charlie Villanueva off the bench scored 13. Austin Daye scored 11. Jason Maxiell added 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks.

In Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Bucks get the win over the Toronto Raptors at the Bradley Centeer 92-86. However, with the 76ers winning their game against the Nets in Newark. The Bucks have been knocked out of playoff contention in the Eastern Conference. Brandon Jennings led the Bucks with 25 points, 5 assists and 3 steals. Ersan Ilyasova finished with a double-double 19 points and 15 rebounds. Monta Ellis added 17 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists with 4 steals. Ekpe Udoh added 11 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks off the bench. Mike Dunleavy Jr. added 10 points and 7 rebounds.

In Memphis, the Memphis Grizzlies win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the FedExForum 109-101. Marreese Speights led the Grizzlies with a double-double 17 points and 10 rebounds. Marc Gasol also scored 17 points with 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. Rudy Gay added 16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. O.J. Mayo added 14 points and 5 assists off the bench. Tony Allen added 13 points, 8 rebounds and 8 steals. Mike Conley scored 12. Rookie Kyrie Irving led the Cavaliers with 25 points and 3 steals. Antawn Jamison added 17 points and 9 rebounds. Another rookie Tristan Thompson added 12 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks. Manny Harris off the bench scored 11.

STANDINGS AS OF 4/24/12 (12:16 PHT)

WEST:
1. Spurs (w) 48-16, 2. Thunder (nw) 46-18, 3. Lakers (x) 41-24, 4. Clippers (x) 40-24, 5. Grizzlies (x) 40-25, 6. Nuggets (x) 36-28, 7. Mavericks (x) 36-29, 8. Jazz 34-30, 9. Suns 33-31, 10. Rockets (o) 33-32, 11. Trail Blazers (o) 28-37, 12. Timberwolves (o) 26-39, 13. Warriors (o) 23-41, 14. Kings (o) 21-43, 15. Hornets (o) 20-44

EAST:
1. Bulls (c) 48-16, 2. Heat (se) 46-18, 3. Pacers (x) 42-23, 4. Celtics (a) 37-27, 5. Hawks (x) 38-26, 6. Magic (x) 36-28, 7. Knicks (x) 34-30, 8. 76ers (x) 34-30, 9. Bucks (o) 31-33, 10. Pistons (o) 24-41, 11. Nets (o) 22-43, 12. Raptors (o) 22-43, 13. Cavaliers (o) 21-43, 14. Wizards (o) 18-46, 15. Bobcats (o) 7-57

K-Smoove