WASHINGTON: Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal did what they do - a near triple-double for one and 25 points in just 29 minutes for the other - and the Washington Wizards reached the NBA Playoffs as the Eastern Conference's No. 8 seed by overwhelming the Indiana Pacers, 142-115, in the play-in round on Thursday (Friday in Manila).

Washington led by as many as 38 points and advanced to face Joel Embiid and the No. 1 seed, Philadelphia 76ers, in the first round of the NBA Playoffs, marking quite a turnaround for coach Scott Brooks' crew, which was 17-32 in early April.