Heat’s top-seed hopes dented

LeBron James scores 27 points but Miami Heat lose 98-85 to Atlanta Hawks who clinch their seventh straight playoff berth

Hawks' Jeff Teague (0) scored 25 points in Hawks' win that clinched their playoff berth [Reuters]

The Atlanta Hawks clinched their seventh straight playoff berth and delivered a blow to the Miami Heat’s hopes of earning the top seed in the Eastern Conference with an impressive 98-85 home win over the defending champions.

Atlanta point guard Jeff Teague had 25 points, and guard Lou Williams came off the bench to add 23, 18 coming in the fourth quarter, as the Hawks recorded their second consecutive win over the Heat.

Miami forward LeBron James had 27 points and eight rebounds.

The Dallas Mavericks qualified for the playoffs with a tense 101-98 home victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday.

The Los Angeles Clippers overcame a rally by the Sacramento Kings and tied their record for most victories in a season with a 117-101 win.

Guards James Harden and Jeremy Lin converted back-to-back driving layups as the Houston Rockets erased a 15-point deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 111-104.

Guard Bradley Beal scored 26 points and all five starters scored in double figures as the Washington Wizards ran away from the Milwaukee Bucks in the second half for a 104-91 home win.

Centre Al Jefferson scored 29 points and the Charlotte Bobcats clamped down defensively in the second half to beat the lowly Philadelphia 76ers 111-105 at home.

Kelly Olynyk and Avery Bradley each scored 25 points as the Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 111-99.

The Denver Rockets came from six points down early in the fourth quarter to beat the Utah Jazz 101-94.

Source: Reuters