Field is set, but matchups must wait
The NBA's playoff field is set. The matchups could take a few more days.
The Lakers, Bulls, Wizards and Kings claimed the four spots that were remaining entering Sunday, and all that's left with three days to go in the regular season is figuring out the seedings.
While none of the eight first-round matchups have been determined, Los Angeles and Sacramento will have the two bottom spots in the Western Conference — and they both could be dangerous. The Lakers have the scoring of Kobe Bryant, the Kings have the defensive play of Ron Artest, and both teams are surging down the stretch.
"We're not finished," Artest said after the Kings' 96-79 victory over New Orleans. "We've got a long season ahead of us. We're far from done. Our goal is to come out of this year No. 1, and win a championship."
Bryant scored 43 points and the Lakers routed the Phoenix Suns 109-89. Those teams could meet again in the first round, or Los Angeles could end up playing San Antonio or Dallas, whichever gets the No. 1 seed.
"Whoever we play, it's going to be tough because it's two great teams," Bryant said. "We just have to make sure we do our homework and go out there and try to execute."
The East field is more complicated. Washington (40-40) is fifth, while Chicago, Indiana and Milwaukee are all one game behind. Victories Sunday by the Bulls and Wizards eliminated Orlando and Philadelphia — which hoped to compete for the Atlantic Division title this season.
"I take every loss hard, and this is as tough as it gets," 76ers coach Maurice Cheeks said on the team's Web site. "We have a lot of work to do in the offseason, and I plan on sitting down with (team president) Billy (King) as soon the season is over. We don't ever want to be in this position again. This is not a good feeling."
At Miami, the Bulls felt much better after riding their late-season surge to a second consecutive playoff spot. They locked up their berth with a 117-93 victory over the Heat behind 26 points from Luol Deng.
"We played well. We clinched it. It's just a good feeling," Deng said. "Now we've still got to play for a higher spot."
That's what all the East teams want to do, since eighth place means a first-round series against Detroit. That's why Washington wasn't satisfied after securing its spot.
"We are relieved," center Brendan Haywood said, "but we're not satisfied."
Indiana, Chicago and Milwaukee are all in action tonight. The Bucks then visit the Wizards on Tuesday night.
At Washington, Gilbert Arenas scored 35 points as the Wizards snapped a five-game losing streak and clinched consecutive postseason berths for the first time since 1988.
LeBron James returned to Cleveland's lineup after missing a game for the first time this season because of a sprained left ankle. He scored 17 points in 29Qw minutes.
At Minneapolis, San Antonio moved closer to clinching first place in the Western Conference behind 57 points from its bench.
Tim Duncan had 10 points and eight rebounds in 20 minutes for the Spurs (61-19), who need one more win or one more Dallas loss to seal the Southwest Division title and secure home-court advantage until the NBA Finals with the West's top seed.
At Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 14 of his 22 points on free throws, Jerry Stackhouse added 20 points in his return to the sixth-man role, and the Mavericks eliminated Utah from the postseason chase.
The Mavericks tied a franchise record with their 60th win and kept alive their faint hopes of earning the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
At Auburn Hills, Mich., Richard Hamilton scored 28 points and Tayshaun Prince added 20 as Detroit (64-16) set a franchise record for wins.
