LOS ANGELES -- Each blocked shot by DeAndre Jordan got the Los Angeles Clippers a little bit closer to the postseason.
Jordan had 16 points and 16 rebounds, and his six blocked shots set the tone while the Clippers beat the Denver Nuggets 105-90 on Sunday to become the fourth Western Conference team to clinch a playoff spot.
"He's one of the better rim protectors in the NBA," Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. "And for every shot he doesn't block, he has guys hesitating. I thought we got very passive tonight once he blocked a couple of shots," (see full recap).
Kings roll, send Mavs to 10th loss in 12
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Slumping Dallas is in jeopardy of missing the playoffs. In the locker room, the lingering question is: Do the Mavericks care enough to do anything about it?
Rookie Willie Cauley-Stein followed a breakout offensive performance with 21 points and DeMarcus Cousins had 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Sacramento Kings over the Mavericks 133-111 on Sunday.
The Mavericks have dropped three straight and 10 of 12. They are ninth in the Western Conference and trail Houston by half a game for the final playoff spot (see full recap).
George, Ellis lead Pacers past Rockets
INDIANAPOLIS -- Paul George did the bulk of his work for the Indiana Pacers early on, and then Monta Ellis and Ian Mahinmi came through at the end.
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George scored 16 of his 25 points in the first quarter and the Pacers overcame 34 points from James Harden to beat the Houston Rockets 104-101 on Sunday night
"This was exactly the kind of game we expected," Mahinmi said. "We knew we had to have this one tonight. A big thing right now is that we are still learning to play with each other, and we are getting better," (see full recap).