Bye-bye Nash
Western Conference
Steve Nash announces retirement
Veteran point guard Steve Nash, who plays for the second-to-last LA Lakers (17-50), has announced that he will retire from the NBA at the end of this season.
Nash is well known as one of the best passing point guards ever, ploughing his trade for several years with the Phoenix Suns (37-33) whose play-off hopes are looking slimmer by the game. They trail eighth-placed Oklahoma City Thunder (39-30) by two-and-a-half games, with 12 games left to play. The Thunder have 13. If anyone is to snatch that last play-off spot from OKC, it is more likely to be Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans (37-32) – though their recent form has suffered.
The Pelicans came up against conference leaders Golden State Warriors (56-13), who are already sure of their play-off spot, this week. Despite an off night from Stephen Curry (16 points, 11 assists), the Warriors showed their usual depth in the 112-96 victory, causing the Pelicans to drop two games in a row.
Elsewhere, second-placed Memphis Grizzlies (49-21) faced seventh-placed Dallas Mavericks (44-26). Memphis had seven players in double figures, including Marc Gasol with 15 points and 10 rebounds, to battle to a 112-101 victory. The Grizzlies also faced another play-off-probable team in Portland Trailblazers (44-24), this time winning 97-86 to continue their buildup to the postseason.
San Antonio Spurs (43-25) have won eight in 10, to continue their customary improvement near to the play-offs.
Eastern Conference
Cleveland clinch post-season
The Cavaliers (45-26) ensured that their place in the post-season is a surety with their 15th consecutive win at home. Playing hosts to Indiana Pacers (30-39), Kevin Love had 11 points and 13 rebounds to support LeBron James’ 29 points as the Cavs outlasted their visitors 95-92.
The Pacers trail the Boston Celtics (30-38) by half-a-game. The Celtics currently hold the final play-off slot in the East, having won seven of their last 10. They came up against Western powerhouses in their last two bouts, however, losing to Russell Westbrook and the Thunder 122-118, and the San Antonio Spurs 101-89.
Miami Heat (32-36) have managed to put a little bit of distance between their seventh place and other play-off challengers with three consecutive wins. This included a win against Portland, where Dwyane Wade scored 15 fourth quarter points to lead the Heat to a narrow 108-104 win.
Washington Wizards (40-29), though their play-off position isn’t much at risk, suffered a 113-99 rout to the West’s LA Clippers (45-25) as Chris Paul won the battle of the point guards with John Wall. Paul had 30 points, 15 assists and six rebounds in a mammoth performance.
The Milwaukee Bucks, have lost five tilts in a row and only won two of their ten games. They will need to pick their game up if they are to beat their likely opponents in the playoffs, Toronto Raptors (41-28).