Clippers clinch No. 5 seed, Warriors fall into play-in tournament
James Harden and Kawhi Leonard combined for 72 points as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Golden State Warriors 124-119 on Sunday and clinched the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference.
The Clippers will face the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets in the opening round of the playoffs.
The Warriors finished seventh and will host a play-in tournament contest against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 15 at 10 p.m. ET.
The Clippers held on despite standout performances from Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. Curry scored 36 points, while Butler added 30 points and nine assists. The Warriors led by as much as 12 points during the contest.
Los Angeles also got 22 points and 17 rebounds from center Ivica Zubac.
The Clippers went 2-2 in the regular season against the Nuggets but haven't beaten Denver since December.
Golden State won three out of four contests against the Grizzlies this campaign. The winner of the play-in game between the two franchises will face the No. 2 Houston Rockets.
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