Playoff seedings settled on final day of NBA regular season

THE playoff picture for Ben Simmons and the 76ers is looking rosy after a wild finish to the season which included two overtime thrillers.

Ben Simmons has led the 76ers to the playoffs.

• Key storylines to follow

Live: NBA regular season finale

The NBA’s first round is set. East: (1) Raptors v Wizards (8), (2) Celtics v Bucks (7), (3) 76ers v Heat (6), (4) Cavs v Pacers (5). West: (1) Rockets v Timberwolves (8), (2) Warriors v Spurs (7), (3) Trail Blazers v Pelicans (6), (4) Thunder v Jazz (5).

BEN Simmons’ 76ers are charging towards the playoffs as the third seed in the East after blowing out the Milwaukee Bucks 130-95 to extend their winning streak to 16 games.

They’ll play Miami, after the Heat rallied for an overtime win against Toronto. The teams split their season series 2-2, with the home team winning every game.

The complete Eastern playoff picture is set after a thrilling finale in the conference on Thursday. On top of the 76ers-Heat matchup, Toronto (1) will play Washington (8), Boston (2) lines up against Milwaukee (7) and Cleveland (4) clashes with Indiana (5).

Going to be an improbable conference finalist in the east: Banged up Boston, the young Sixers, Miami or talented-but-underachieving Milwaukee. That side of the bracket feels wide open.

— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixYS) April 12, 2018

The West is also settled as Joe Ingles’ Jazz fell from third to fifth after a 102-93 defeat in Portland, that saw the Blazers and Thunder both move ahead of Utah.

Minnesota is back in the playoffs for the first time since 2004 after securing the eighth seed with a 112-106 overtime win in its winner-takes-all clash against Denver.

Scores: Pistons 119 Bulls 87, Celtics 110 Nets 97, 76ers 130 Bucks 95, Thunder 137 Grizzlies 123, Pelicans 122 Spurs 98, Knicks 110 Cavs 98, Magic 101 Wizards 92, Heat 116 Raptors 109, Timberwolves 112 Nuggets 106, Kings 96 Rockets 83, Lakers 115 Clippers 100, Trail Blazers 102 Jazz 93

Standings — East: 1. Raptors (59-23), 2. Celtics (55-27), 3. 76ers (52-30), 4. Cavs (50-32), 5. Pacers (48-34), 6. Heat (44-38), 7. Bucks (44-38), 8. Wizards (43-39)

West: 1. Rockets (65-17), 2. Warriors (58-24), 3. Trail Blazers (48-33), 4. Thunder (48-34), 5. Jazz (48-33), 6. Pelicans (48-34), 7. Spurs (47-35), 8. Timberwolves (47-35)

5.40pm

Playoff schedule released

Two day’s of rest for basketball fans before the real action gets underway nice and early on Sunday morning.

Only two of the seven Aussies in the playoffs will hit the hardwood on Sunday with the remaining five all kicking off on Monday.

Sunday games:

Golden State Warriors v San Antonio Spurs — 5am

Toronto Raptors v Washington Wizards — 7.30am

Philadelphia 76ers v Miami Heat — 10am

Portland Trail Blazers v New Orleans Pelicans — 12.30pm

Monday games:

Boston Celtics v Milwaukee Bucks — 3am

Cleveland Cavaliers v Indiana Pacers — 5.30am

Oklahoma City Thunder v Utah Jazz — 8.30am

Houston Rockets v Minnesota Timberwolves — 11am

4.30pm

Knicks part ways with coach

Despite a win on the final day of the regular season, the New York Knicks have made the call to part ways with coach Jeff Hornacek.

Knicks president Steve Mills, general manager Scott Perry and player development director Craig Robinson made the trip to Cleveland to serve as the grim reapers, ending Hornacek’s reign after two 50-loss seasons.

Former NBA coaches David Fizdale, Mark Jackson and David Blatt are among several candidates management are expected to contact.

2.20pm

Lillard holds off Jazz

Dame v Dante. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)

Utah made a fourth quarter push in Portland but was ultimately denied by Damian Lillard’s brilliance, as the Trail Blazers guard finished with 36 points in a 102-93 win.

1pm

Western scenarios explained

Two Western playoff series are settled. Houston (1) will host Minnesota (8), while the Golden State Warriors (2) play the Spurs (7) after San Antonio’s final day defeat against New Orleans.

The match-ups are set in the other two series — with a couple of details to iron out.

Utah will play Oklahoma City but who has home court advantage depends on whether the Jazz win against Portland today.

Portland will host New Orleans — either as the third seed (with a win against Utah) or the fourth seed.

12.45pm

Nuggets rally to send it to OT

The key game out West was a barnburner. Nikola Jokic (35 points) drove Denver to a 20-15 final term to tie up the Nuggets’ game in Minnesota at 101-101 and sent it to overtime.

But Jimmy Butler held his nerve at the free throw line during the extra period to get the Wolves home 112-106.

Miami also sprang to life in its game against Toronto, producing a 34-27 to send that game to OT, before prevailing 116-109.

Washington lost 101-92 to Orlando, locking in the eighth seed in the East and a first-round series against Toronto.

12pm

Fultz has a triple double for Philly

Joel Embiid and JJ Redick watched from the bench, Ben Simmons had a scoreless first half and the Philadelphia 76ers still won their 16th consecutive game, thumping the Milwaukee Bucks 130-95 night to clinch the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Fultz had his first career triple-double with 13 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds. Justin Anderson led the Sixers with 25 points and Dario Saric had 24.

Embiid wore a black mask during warmups to protect his broken bone around his left eye, then changed into gold sneakers and a peach-colored jacket to watch the Sixers romp to a stunning 80-44 lead at the break.

Embiid said he will likely miss at least Game 1 of the playoffs this weekend because of the injury.

The 76ers have done just fine without him.

Redick was a late scratch with lower back tightness and Simmons, who finished with four points, missed both shots in the first half. No problem. The Sixers hit 11 threes in the first half and could have celebrated the No. 3 seed at halftime.

11.45am

Early games: Third quarter wrap

Toronto has been fighting in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Pistons 94 Bulls 74: Not a lot of timeouts being called in this one as both teams rush to the offseason.

Raptors 78 Heat 71: The sixth seed is available to Miami if they want it. But it looks like they’d rather face Boston in round one.

Celtics 83 Nets 70: Aron Baynes has a career-high 26 points to go with 14 rebounds.

Pelicans 90 Spurs 72: San Antonio hasn’t won on the road in more than six weeks. It’s not changing.

Thunder 105 Grizzlies 96: Paul George is up to 33 points. Russell Westbrook has 16 assists and 18 rebounds. Dillon Brooks has 32 points for the Grizz.

Timberwolves 86 Nuggets 81: Denver pulled to within one midway through the quarter. We have a game.

Knicks 84 Cavaliers 71: Cleveland is resting its stars in preparation for the Pacers in round one.

76ers 105 Bucks 75: Ben Simmons has four points, seven assists and six rebounds.

Magic 76 Wizards 75: Maybe Washington wants Philly. A 30-21 third quarter has them back in the game in Orlando. A win would see them move up to sixth in the East.

11.30am

Westbrook goes over board

Was there ever any doubt?

Russell Westbrook grabbed his 16th rebound less than three minutes into the second half of the Thunder’s game against the Grizzlies to ensure he averaged a triple double for the second season in a row.

Loose ball rebound that bounced a couple times and Carmelo Anthony runs over to grab it uncontested. Turns around and yells, "Russ!" with a big smile.

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) April 12, 2018

11.15am

Embiid unlikely for game one

Joel Embiid is unlikely to be available for the first game of Philadelphia’s first round playoff series.

The star centre missed his eighth game today after fracturing an eye socket in a collision with teammate Markelle Fultz on March 29.

“It’s unlikely, but there’s still a chance,” Embiid said before the Sixers built an 80-44 halftime lead against the Milwaukee Bucks in the regular season finale. “I think everybody knows me and knows how I love playing. But like I said, it’s unlikely, but you never know what can happen. I just have to take it day-by-day.”

11.10am

Early games: Halftime wrap

Karl-Anthony Towns has the Timberwolves where he wants them. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

76ers 80 Bucks 44: Ben Simmons still hasn’t scored but who cares? This is over.

Celtics 53 Nets 43: Aussie Aron Baynes has a first double double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Raptors 53 Heat 47: Toronto has locked up the one seed but is finishing strong in Miami.

Pistons 66 Bulls 50: Anthony Tolliver has 18 points as the Pistons eye their 39th win.

Pelicans 61 Spurs 43: New Orleans went on a 21-4 run to blow this one open.

Thunder 77 Grizzlies 57: Paul George (26 points) is doing the scoring while Russell Westbrook (11 rebounds) grabs the boards. Westbrook also has 12 assists.

Timberwolves 62 Nuggets 54: Denver is starting to crack in this do-or-die clash.

Magic 55 Wizards 45: Washington will finish eighth and play Toronto unless it turns this around.

Knicks 57 Cavaliers 37: LeBron James has checked out of this game as Cleveland settles for the fourth seed.

This is rough for Milwaukee. Getting mud stomped in Philadelphia & might have to come back in a few days for more because Miami & Washington ain’t trying to win. And if you’re the Heat or Wizards, why would you want to win so you can get some of what the 76ers are dishing out?

— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) April 12, 2018

11am

Mitchell doubles down in ROY feud

Donovan Mitchell back with a new rookie hoodie. pic.twitter.com/5Z9xExBcto

— Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 12, 2018

Donovan Mitchell has another sweatshirt message for Ben Simmons.

Simmons and Mitchell have been trading barbs the past week after the Australian said in an interview no other rookies caught his attention this year and he would pick himself as Rookie of the Year.

Mitchell wore a hooded shirt on Wednesday emblazoned with the definition of a rookie: “An athlete playing his or her first season as a member of a professional sports team”.

He had another one on Thursday, which simply stated: “Rookie?”

10.55am

LeBron sitting in Cleveland

LeBron James hasn’t featured in the Cavs’ game against the Knicks since exiting late in the first quarter.

A 20-13 lead has become a 38-30 deficit but it appears Cavs coach Tyronn Lue has lived up to a promise to pull James from the game after he continued his 873-game streak of scoring 10 or more points.

It’s a strong sign the Cavs — who also gave Kevin Love, Kyle Korver and Rodney Hood the night off — have conceded the three seed to Philadelphia.

10.45am

Early games: First quarter wrap

Memphis Grizzlies guard Kobi Simmons shoots in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

76ers 46 Bucks 18: Ben Simmons hasn’t even needed to score in this blowout.

Celtics 27 Nets 22: Aussie Aron Baynes had 14 points and seven rebounds to spark the Cs.

Cavaliers 20 Knicks 20: LeBron James shot at will as he went for a quick kill but hit only 4/9.

Raptors 29 Heat 27: Kyle Lowry led the Raps with seven points as they took a slight edge on the road.

Timberwolves 29 Nuggets 26: Karl-Anthony Towns (eight points) has the T-Wolves up.

Pelicans 27 Spurs 26: Nothing in this battle between Western contenders.

Thunder 38 Grizzlies 28: Paul George has 13 points. Westbrook is on track with four rebounds.

Magic 26 Wizards 23: The Wiz are missing John Wall and Otto Porter.

Pistons 35 Bulls 21: The Pistons are blowing out the Bulls in a battle of lottery teams.

10.40am

No Redick, no worries for 76ers

Philly exploded to a 28-point quarter time lead against the Bucks despite playing without starting shooting guard JJ Redick, who withdrew with a back injury.

Redick top scored in yesterday’s win against Atlanta but was replaced by Marco Belinelli in the starting lineup.

The 76ers, who have been without star centre Joel Embiid for the past seven games, regained Dario Saric, who sat almost the entire game against the Hawks after being hit in the mouth.

Belinelli hit two threes and Saric scored 10 points — and Philly enjoyed outstanding play off the bench by Justin Anderson, TJ McConnell and Markelle Fultz — to establish a 46-18 advatnage at the first break.

Ben Simmons was subbed out halfway through the quarter after picking up his second foul. He hadn’t scored but had dished out three assists.

The Philadelphia 76ers were expected to finish around .500. They're about to finish the season 52-30. They are a PROBLEM.

— Adam Joseph (@AdamJosephSport) April 12, 2018

8.30am

Key storylines to follow

LeBron James and Ben Simmons have been battling for the three seed in the final stretch of the season.

Ben Simmons’s 76ers will lock up the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 three seed if they beat Matthew Dellavedova’s Milwaukee Bucks and achieve a record 16th-straight win for the franchise.

The Bucks, who also feature Australian centre Thon Maker, could finish either sixth, seventh or eighth in the East depending on the results of games. If the Bucks beat the 76ers, LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers will move up to third if the Cavs beat New York.

Dellavedova, who missed the past 29 games with an ankle injury, will be available to take on the 76ers and give the young Bucks playoff experience in the post season.

The Jazz, featuring Australians Exum and Joe Ingles, can claim the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference with a win over Portland.

Exum has struggled with injuries since entering the NBA and on Tuesday left the Jazz’s rout of the champion Golden State Warriors suffering leg soreness. He is questionable for the regular season finale against Portland.

Patty Mills’ San Antonio Spurs, Kiwi big man Steven Adams’ Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans could also land anywhere from fourth through eighth in the West.

The Spurs play the Pelicans and the Thunder take on the Memphis Grizzlies, where reigning MVP Russell Westbrook needs 16 rebounds to average a triple double for the second season in a row.

Aron Baynes’ Boston Celtics have clinched the East’s second seed behind the conference’s top-placed Toronto Raptors.

The most intense match-up Wednesday could be the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets with the winner going to the playoffs and loser missing out. The playoffs begin on Saturday.

8am

Kobe weighs in on rookie debate

NBA great Kobe Bryant has added fuel to the hotly-contested duel between Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell for the league’s Rookie of the Year Award.

Bryant said on Wednesday that Simmons, the 21-year-old Australian who has transformed the Philadelphia 76ers into championship contenders, benefited from spending the entire 2016-17 season with the team while sitting out of games with a fractured right foot.

“I think that the time that he has had to watch the game has helped slow down the game for him,” Bryant, when asked about his impression of Simmons, told reporters.

“He has had a chance to really observe the NBA game and be around it and pick it apart so now that he’s playing I think the game is in slow motion for him which is different than most rookies.”

There is debate in the NBA about whether Simmons is a true rookie and should be eligible for Rookie of the Year. Simmons’ main rival, Mitchell, and other rookies did not have that first year to assimilate to the NBA.