The Lakers and Nuggets took care of the hard part, winning important games against quality opponents to move within a victory of clinching the top and bottom spots in the Western Conference playoffs.

What's left for Los Angeles and Denver to reach their respective postseason goals seems fairly easy to handle.

Led by Kobe Bryant, the Lakers routed the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs 106-85 at home Sunday to move into sole possession of first in the Western Conference.

Late in Denver, the Nuggets helped the Lakers and themselves, blowing out the Rockets 111-94 to move a half-game ahead of Golden State for the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

The Lakers, who can finish no worse than No. 3 in the West, will earn the top seed and home-court advantage through the first three playoff rounds if they beat the visiting Sacramento Kings (38-42) on Tuesday night.

"It's still our responsibility to finish this the right way," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "And that was our message in the locker room after the game. Fortunately for us, we got some rest, got some guys who had a little bit of time to recover before Tuesday night."

All the Nuggets have to do to reach the playoffs for the fifth straight season is beat lowly Memphis (22-58) on Wednesday night at home.

Bryant had 20 points, five rebounds and five assists before sitting out the fourth quarter for the Lakers.

"It was a big game for us," Bryant said. "It was another step in the right direction. Going into the playoffs is all about momentum."

The Warriors could become the first team to win 50 games and miss the playoffs. To get in, the Warriors need to win at Phoenix on Monday night, beat Seattle on Wednesday and have Denver lose.