Wednesday 2 April 2014 08:32, UK
A depleted Golden State Warriors side battled their way to a 122-120 overtime victory against Dallas Mavericks, taking an advantage in Western Conference play-off picture in the process.
With 13 seconds left in overtime and the scores level, Warriors centre Jermaine O'Neal blocked Mavericks guard Monta Ellis' runner on the baseline and Golden State guard Stephen Curry won it with a long contested jumper with 0.1 secs on the clock.
Golden State (46-28) sit sixth in the Western Conference, while defeat sees Dallas slip to ninth, with Dirk Nowitzki’s 33 points and 11 rebounds offering little but consolation.
Portland point guard Damian Lillard scored 34 points and added eight assists as the Trail Blazers ensured the Los Angeles Lakers remain at the foot of the Pacific Conference with a 124-112 win in California.
Lillard hit five three-pointers, while LaMarcus Aldridge contributed 31 points and 15 rebounds as Portland raced to a fourth successive victory.
Lakers guard Nick Young scored a season-high 40 points, but it was not enough to save his side from sliding to a third defeat in their last four outings.
Brooklyn forward Joe Johnson scored 32 points and the Nets set a franchise record with their 14th straight win at home, defeating the Houston Rockets 105-96 to clinch a playoff berth.
The Nets led for the majority but never pulled more than nine points ahead of the Rockets, who pressed the second-placed Atlantic Conference side all the way.
However the Rockets, who were without All Star Dwight Howard, were unable to overtake the Nets despite 26 points and seven assists from guard James Harden.
