Paul Zipser scored a career-high 21 points. Also out with rest/injury were Sean Kilpatrick, Quincy Acy, Trevor Booker and Joe Harris. Lopez' history of foot issues is worth noting heading into a meaningless game, but he has now played at least 72 games in three straight seasons.
Brooklyn's decision should come as good news for Chicago, as the Bulls enter the regular season's final night in a three-way fight with in and Miami for the East's final two spots.
"I'm going to be honest as a competitor, I understand it, I understand the point of view that some of you have, some of the press has and maybe other teams, I do understand it", Atkinson said to reporters in Chicago. "That's my responsibility as coach".
Archie Goodwin put up 20 points and K.J. McDaniels added 15 for Brooklyn, which committed 18 turnovers and was outscored 37-17 during the final 12 minutes. The Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are all in contention as the Eastern Conference's No.7 and No.8 seeds remain up for grabs. They will face Cleveland in the opening round.
The Heat are looking to go from an inauspicious beginning to a happy ending, hoping that there is one more miracle left in a season in which they started 11-30, but have since gone 29-11 (per the Elias Sports Bureau, they have the best record for a team that was 19 under.500 at any point during the season).
The Bulls will play the Boston Celtics in the first round. Unless a player is resting for the postseason, or legitimately hurt, they should be playing in the season finale. Cleveland took Toronto down in six games in last year's Eastern Conference finals.
Beat the Hawks - who will be coming to Indianapolis on the second night of a back-to-back after hosting the Hornets on Tuesday - and the Pacers are in...
Man dragged off plane files court papers
As part of our review, two additional officers have been placed on administrative leave until further notice. The CEO vowed to never again let a law enforcement remove "a booked, paid, seated passenger", from a plane.
Additionally, both of Chicago's losses against the Celtics came on the road-which is problematic considering Brad Stevens' squad will have the luxury of home-court advantage. I think everyone plays 82 games and each one is just as valuable.
Miami needed a win, and either a loss by IN or Chicago, to reach the postseason.
It's three teams - Indiana, Chicago and Miami - for the last two spots in the East field. Rajon Rondo added 10 points, six rebounds and five assists.
"It means a lot for those fans who were supporting us through the whole season", Dragic said.
Willie Reed made some money this season: The Heat signed Willie Reed to a two-year deal at the minimum this past summer, which includes a player option for next season. Whiteside got his 58th double-double, extending his franchise single-season record. Robertson endorsed Westbrook for the Most Valuable Player award during a pregame ceremony Wednesday.
JAZZ 101, SPURS 97: Gordon Hayward scored 14 and Utah held on to beat visiting San Antonio. Los Angeles was facing Sacramento later Wednesday. No. 4 Washington gets the fifth-seeded Hawks.
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