Lakers Win In Overtime, Claiming 2-Seed In NBA Playoffs Bracket; Mavericks Take Third

Jarrett Jack came off the bench to score 16 points while helping lead the New Orleans Hornets to a 62-58 halftime lead over the Dallas Mavericks. Dallas needs a victory and a Los Angeles Lakers loss to clinch the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Chris Paul scored seven points while dishing out six assists while Marco Belinelli added eight points of his own for the Hornets.

Dirk Nowitzki has done everything he can to keep Dallas in the game scoring 19 first half points in just 18 minutes of action. Jose Juan Barea added 10 points for the Mavericks. Dallas could still be in good position as they find themselves down by only three points while allowing the Hornets to shoot 58% from the floor and 63% from three-point range in the first half.

Here’s a look at the schedule of games that matter.

Bucks vs. Thunder, local TV/League Pass. This game only matters if the Mavericks lose. If Dallas wins, OKC is locked into No. 4. If Dallas loses and OKC wins, the Thunder will be No. 3. This game has no bearing on No. 2 or Nos. 7 and 8, though.