Lakers secure playoff spot with Luka`s 45 points, while the Suns are eliminated from contention.

The Los Angeles Lakers clinched a playoff spot after a decisive 112-97 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Luka Dončić, who recently joined the Lakers, showcased his scoring prowess with an impressive 45 points, complemented by 8 rebounds and 7 three-pointers. LeBron James also contributed significantly, adding 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists to the team`s efforts.

On the other side, Naji Marshall stood out for the Mavericks, scoring 23 points while dishing out 8 assists and grabbing 4 rebounds. With this win, the Lakers improved their record to 49-31, while the Mavericks fell to 38-42.

In other notable developments, the Phoenix Suns were eliminated from playoff contention following a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have now secured the Western Conference title with a remarkable 66-14 record. The Houston Rockets currently sit in second place with a 52-28 record, closely followed by the Lakers.

In the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers lead with a 63-16 record, while the Boston Celtics are in second at 59-21. The Orlando Magic recently triumphed over the Celtics 96-76, with Franz Wagner scoring 23 points. Other games saw the Chicago Bulls defeat the Miami Heat 119-111 and the Utah Jazz narrowly beat the Portland Trail Blazers 133-126 in overtime. The Denver Nuggets also secured a win against the Sacramento Kings, finishing 124-116, while the Los Angeles Clippers took down the Houston Rockets 134-117.

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