Booker explodes for 52 points as Suns scorch Pelicans

LOS ANGELES – Devin Booker produced a 52-point masterpiece as the Phoenix Suns eclipsed the New Orleans Pelicans, 124-111, on Monday (Tuesday Manila time).

Booker boosted Phoenix's hopes of overtaking New Orleans for an automatic playoff berth with a dazzling performance on the road at the Pelicans' Smoothie King Center.

The Phoenix win — which ensured that the Minnesota Timberwolves have clinched a playoff spot — leaves the Suns just one win behind sixth-placed New Orleans.

As things stand, the Suns are now 44-31 and on course for the Western Conference play-in tournament.

However, New Orleans (45-30) faces a nerve-wracking finale to the regular season, knowing that one slip could be fatal.

All five of Phoenix's starters posted double digit points totals, with Kevin Durant finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Jusuf Nurkic adding 19 points with 19 rebounds.

Zion Williamson led the New Orleans scoring with 30 points while Trey Murphy added 21.

Elsewhere on Monday, Jayson Tatum and Sam Hauser both scored 25 points as the Boston Celtics romped past the Charlotte Hornets, 118-104, in North Carolina.

The Celtics, who have already secured top spot in the Eastern Conference, were stung by the Hornets in a surprise upset defeat earlier this season.

But despite trailing early on in Monday's game, there was little chance of a repeat defeat after the Celtics cut loose to open up a commanding 19-point advantage in the fourth quarter.

Hauser's 25-point contribution off the bench included seven 3-pointers, while starters Kristaps Porzingis (20), Derrick White (19) and Al Horford (15) also made double figures.

Tatum said Monday's victory was cause for encouragement as the playoffs loom into view with less than a fortnight of the regular season remaining.

"Last year we were so antsy to get back to the finals, that we had a few bad losses in the last few weeks of the season," Tatum said. "We may have taken some things for granted.

"This year we've done a great job of not skipping steps and respecting every game, every day, trying to get better — as cliche as that sounds."

In Indianapolis, meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers boosted their hopes of locking an