NBA playoffs 2024: Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans secure the last two spots

The Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans secured the final two spots in the NBA playoffs after wins in their play-in tournament games.

The Heat defeated the Chicago Bulls 112-91, while the Pelicans earned a 105-98 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Despite the absence of key player Jimmy Butler, Miami dominated the first quarter and never relinquished its lead.

The Pelicans were without their star Zion Williamson, but Brandon Ingram's 24 points helped them hold off the Kings.

Miami is in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and will now face the Boston Celtics, who finished with the best regular season record, while New Orleans plays the Western Conference's top seed, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Both series start on Sunday.

Butler, who led Miami to two NBA Finals, including last year's loss to the Denver Nuggets, will be sidelined for several weeks because of a strained knee ligament.

Williamson has suffered a strained left hamstring and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

• NBA playoffs 2024: who qualified, rankings and play-in tournament

First round of the NBA playoffs

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Miami Heat

(2) New York Knicks vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers

(3) Milwaukee Bucks vs. (6) Indiana Pacers

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Orlando Magic

Western Conference

(1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (8) New Orleans Pelicans

(2) Denver Nuggets vs. (7) Los Angeles Lakers

(3) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (6) Phoenix Suns

(4) Los Angeles Clippers vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks