Durant takes Thunder past Pistons

Kevin Durant scores 42 points as Thunder beat Pistons to secure second-seed berth in the Western Conference.

Kevin Durant scored 21 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter [GALLO/GETTY]

Kevin Durant scored 21 of his game-high 42 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 112-111 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

The win secured the second-seed berth in the Western Conference for the Thunder (59-23), who will open the playoffs on Saturday against Memphis.

Oklahoma City trailed by 10 points in the fourth but Durant kicked his game into high gear and showed why he is the leading candidate to win the league MVP Award.

Elsewhere, Mike Conley hit two free throws with 1.1 seconds left in overtime, and the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Dallas Mavericks 106-95 in a game that decided who would be the seventh seed in the Western Conference.

The Washington Wizards, set to make their first NBA playoff appearance since 2008, captured the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference by finishing their regular season with a 118-102 victory over the Boston Celtics.

Kemba Walker scored 22 points, including eight in overtime, as the Charlotte Bobcats outlasted the Chicago Bulls 91-86 in the regular-season finale between two Eastern Conference playoff teams.

Other results:

Cavaliers 114, Nets 85

Pacers 101, Magic 86

Knicks 95, Raptors 92

Lakers 113, Spurs 100

Pelicans 105, Rockets 100

Hawks 111, Bucks 103

76ers 100, Heat 87

Jazz 136, Timberwolves 130

Trail Blazers 110, Clippers 104

Warriors 116, Nuggets 112

Suns 104, Kings 99

Source: Reuters