MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Golden State Warriors’ quest for NBA history remains alive … barely.
Golden State, seeking to become the first team in league history to win 73 games during the regular season, was nearly denied the opportunity by the slumping, injury depleted Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis, which had lost 11 of its past 14, led most of the final quarter before falling to the Warriors 100-99 on Saturday.
Golden State is 71-9 with games remaining at San Antonio on Sunday and at home against the Grizzlies on Wednesday. The Warriors are attempting to surpassthe 1995-96 Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls, who finished 72-10.
Steph Curry and Klay Thompson struggled from long range going a combined 5 for 24, but Draymond Green rescued Golden State with 23 points, including the game-winning tip-in with a minute to go. He also had 11 rebounds.
Thompson added 20 points and Curry finished with 17, although he went three of 14 from beyond the arc.
Matt Barnes led Memphis with 24 points and 15 rebounds.
Hawks 118, Celtics 107
ATLANTA — Paul Millsap scored 31 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and sparked a furious second-half as Atlanta rallied to beat Boston in the regular-season home finale at Philips Arena.
With two games remaining, the Hawks (48-32) have a one-game lead on the Celtics (47-33) for the third seed and 1 1/2-game lead over the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets. Atlanta finishes the regular season on the road, starting Monday at Cleveland and concluding Wednesday in Washington.
Boston, which got 19 points off the bench from Marcus Smart, wraps up the regular season at home against Charlotte on Monday and Miami on Wednesday.
Atlanta won three of four against the Celtics and own the tiebreaker should the teams finish with the same record.
Bulls 105, Cavaliers 102
CHICAGO — Jimmy Butler scored 21 points and Cristiano Felicio had 16 off the bench as Chicago staved off playoff elimination with a victory over Cleveland.
Nikola Mirotic scored 13 points and Pau Gasol and Derrick Rose each finished with 10 for the Bulls (40-40), who would have been eliminated from playoff contention with a loss.
Chicago needs to win its remaining two games and have Indiana lose all three of its remaining games to clinch a postseason berth.
LeBron James scored 33 points and J.R. Smith finished with 24 for the Cavaliers (57-23), who entered the night in need of a victory to clinch the best record in the Eastern Conference for the third time in franchise history.
Suns 121, Pelicans 100
NEW ORLEANS — Archie Goodwin had 24 points and Mirza Teletovic scored nine of his 22 in the third quarter to lift Phoenix over New Orleans.
Goodwin, who totaled 33 points in his previous five games, nailed three 3-pointers before leaving in the final minute because a twisted ankle.
Teletovic entered the game leading the NBA in 3-point shooting off the bench, and he made 4-of-8 from long range against the Pelicans. The Suns (22-58) won
their second consecutive game after losing seven straight.
Toney Douglas scored 23 points for New Orleans (30-50).