PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Trail Blazers clinched the final playoff spot in the Western Conference on Sunday when the Denver Nuggets lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder 106-105.
Russell Westbrook, who registered his NBA-record 42nd triple-double, hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to knock the Nuggets out of the postseason race.
The Blazers (40-40), who were idle on Sunday, have two regular-season games remaining, both at home: on Monday against the San Antonio Spurs, and on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Portland then will play the defending Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors in the opening round of the playoffs. The game schedule has not been set.
It is the fourth consecutive season that Portland has made the postseason. Last season, Golden State eliminated Portland in five games in the second round.
