Bradley, Celtics Beat Hornets, NBA Roundup

Avery Bradley says despite a season of ups and downs, he never stopped believing the Boston Celtics were a playoff team. If the Celtics continue to play the way they have in recent weeks, Bradley might be right. Bradley had 30 points and eight rebounds, and the Celtics beat the Charlotte Hornets 116-104 on Monday night for an important Eastern Conference victory.

Boston (33-41) moved back into eighth place in the East, a few percentage points ahead of Brooklyn in the battle for the final playoff spot. Evan Turner added 15 points, while Jae Crowder and Marcus Smart each had 14 as the Celtics won for the 10th time in the last 16 games.

Lakers 113, 76ers 111

Byron Scott still has a lot to learn about Jordan Clarkson. The Lakers coach is already sure of one thing: Clarkson isn't the type to wilt under pressure.

"He's not afraid of the moment," Scott said. "You've got to like to that."

Clarkson scored 26 points and made the tiebreaking basket with 0.7 seconds left in overtime to lift Los Angeles past the Philadelphia 76ers, 113-111 on Monday night in a matchup of two of the NBA's worst teams.

Grizzlies 97, Kings 83

The Memphis Grizzlies were delighted to snap out of their recent losing spell, no matter what opponent they dispatched. Mike Conley scored 18 points, Jeff Green added 16 and the Grizzlies ended their three-game skid with a 97-83 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. The Grizzlies moved back into the second spot in the Western Conference playoff race by a half-game over the Houston Rockets, who lost 99-96 at Toronto.

Jazz 104, Timberwolves 84

It didn't take very long for Rudy Gobert to exact his revenge after getting dunked on by the NBA's top rookie. Gobert had 15 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots, including an impressive stop on Andrew Wiggins in the second quarter, and the Utah Jazz beat the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves 104-84 on Monday night.

Gordon Hayward scored 22 points for Utah, which earned its second straight win after a four-game losing streak. Reserve Trey Burke had 19, and Trevor Booker finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds. A week ago, the Timberwolves beat the Jazz in Utah despite dressing only seven players.

Blazers 109, Suns 86

A playoff spot secured, next up for the Portland Trail Blazers is the Northwest Division title. The Trail Blazers haven't won the division since 2008-09, when they shared it with the Denver Nuggets. Portland's last outright title came in the 1991-92 season. The Blazers clinched a playoff berth Monday night with a 109-86 victory over the Phoenix Suns. The victory cut the Blazers' magic number for winning the division to two.

Monday, March 30 Scoreboard

Boston 116, Charlotte 104

LA Lakers 113, Philadelphia 111 (OT)

Atlanta 101, Milwaukee 88

Toronto 99, Houston 96

Memphis 97, Sacramento 83

Utah 104, Minnesota 84

Portland 109, Phoenix 86

Tuesday, March 31 Schedule (All Times Central)

Indiana at Brooklyn, 6:30 p.m.

Atlanta at Detroit, 6:30 p.m.

San Antonio at Miami, 7 p.m.

Golden State at LA Clippers, 9:30 p.m.