Warriors, Magic gain playoff passage

LOS ANGELES  – Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler combined for 75 points as the Golden State Warriors squeezed into the NBA playoffs on Tuesday with a pulsating 121-116 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

A thrilling play-in duel at San Francisco’s Chase Center saw the Warriors hang on after a ferocious second-half fightback by Memphis, who trailed by as much as 20 points before rallying back to edge into the lead late in the game.

But just when Memphis threatened to pull off a famous victory, Curry stepped up with a huge 15-point fourth quarter to shepherd the Warriors to a win that sets up a first-round playoff series against second seeds Houston.

Curry finished with 37 points, including six three-pointers, while Butler led the Golden State scoring with 38 points in another masterful performance from the former Miami Heat talisman.

The Grizzlies will now face the winner of Wednesday’s other play-in between the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks for the final play-off ticket from the Western Conference.

In Tuesday’s other play-in game, Cole Anthony scored 26 points off the bench as the Orlando Magic booked their place in the first round of the playoffs with a 120-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Orlando’s superior production from the bench proved decisive as the Magic clinched the seventh seed.

Orlando will now play the second-seeded Boston Celtics in the opening round of the playoffs, with game one of their best-of-seven series set for Sunday.

Atlanta will face the winner of Wednesday’s play-in clash between Chicago and Miami on Friday to determine the last remaining Eastern Conference berth.

Anthony and teammate Anthony Black combined for 42 points, including seven three-pointers to give Orlando the victory.