Kawhi Leonard scored 27 points, Norman Powell added 23 and the Los Angeles Clippers solidified their hopes of avoiding the play-in game with a 136-125 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.

Russell Westbrook had 20 points for the Clippers, who have won four of their last six and hold the fifth spot in the Western Conference.

Wins by LA and Minnesota on Saturday ensured the Clippers can finish no lower than seventh. Their best hope of avoiding the play-in game though is beating Phoenix on Sunday in what could be a preview of a first-round series.

Kevin Knox II had 30 points, Shaedon Sharpe 26 and Trendon Watford 24 for the Trail Blazers, who have dropped three straight and eight of their last nine.

Portland led 70-64 at halftime before the Clippers went on a 14-2 run early in the third quarter to gain control.

The Trail Blazers rallied to get within 86-85 on a 3-pointer by Knox before the Clippers put it away for good with a 23-7 spurt.

Leonard had 13 points in the third quarter as the Clippers were 15 of 24 from the field, including eight 3-pointers.

Los Angeles’ largest lead was 19 in the fourth quarter.

TIMBERWOLVES 151,

SPURS 131

Anthony Edwards had 33 points in 25 minutes and Minnesota routed San Antonio, the most points allowed in regulation under Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, at the Moody Center.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points, Mike Conley had 20 points and Rudy Gobert had 10 points and 13 rebounds for Minnesota.

The Timberwolves shot 56% on 3-pointers in winning for the sixth time in nine games.

Minnesota will finish no lower than ninth in the Western Conference but still have a chance of passing New Orleans for eighth.

Julian Champagnie had 24 points to lead San Antonio, which will finish with one of the league’s three worst records. Keita Bates-Diop added 22 points and Tre Jones had 21 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.