The Los Angeles Clippers hardly looked like a team trying to lose their way into a better playoff matchup.
The Clippers cut an 18-point deficit to 3 down the stretch Tuesday night in Memphis, Tenn., before finally losing 101-95 to the Grizzlies.
For the loss, the Clippers' second straight and fifth in the last seven, they were rewarded with the sixth seed and home-court advantage against the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies captured their seventh game of the last eight, earned a 3-1 edge over the Clippers in the season series and assured themselves of a better overall record than Los Angeles with one game left.
Memphis earned the fifth seed, but the less enviable task of hitting the playoff road against the fourth-seeded Dallas Mavericks.
"It was a bizarre game. I'll leave it at that," Memphis forward Shane Battier said.
In one of the league's most unusual late-season matchups, the Clippers did what was necessary to assure they got the sixth seed and opened the playoffs with home-court against Denver, the Northwest Division champion.
76ERS 91, NETS 88: At Philadelphia, Allen Iverson and Chris Webber did not play because of injuries, did not show up in the locker room until tipoff and missed the Philadelphia 76ers' win. Andre Iguodala had 27 points for the Sixers, Willie Green had 14 and Steven Hunter 10.
WIZARDS 116, BUCKS 103: At Washington, Gilbert Arenas scored 31 of his 43 points in the second half, and Washington overcame a career-high 43 points from Michael Redd. Redd and Arenas combined for 62 points in the second half as the two catalysts dueled with playoff intensity for the chance to avoid Detroit, Miami or New Jersey in the first round.
HAWKS 103, HEAT 100: At Atlanta, Tyronn Lue's 3-pointer with 8.3 seconds left gave Atlanta a victory over a Miami team that was without its head coach and three top players. Miami, looking to the playoffs and having its top players avoid injury, stayed close despite having Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade in street clothes.
KINGS 111, SUPERSONICS 105: At Sacramento, Calif., Bonzi Wells scored 23 points and Kenny Thomas had 17 points and a season-high 18 rebounds.