San Antonio, who would finish ahead of Oklahoma City by virtue of the tie-breaker between the teams should they finish level, can clinch the top seed with a victory over Portland on Monday.
Oklahoma City sustained a blow in their 114-106 loss to the Lakers in a physical battle that saw Los Angeles forward Metta World Peace ejected after striking James Harden with an elbow to the head in the second quarter.
World Peace was celebrating a dunk when he flung an elbow at Harden, knocking his opponent out of the game with a concussion and earning himself a n early shower.
"It was unfortunate that James had to get hit with an unintentional elbow," World Peace told reporters, following the action that will likely see him face a suspension.
"I hope he is OK. I apologize to the Thunder and to James Harden."
The incident overshadowed a thrilling showdown that featured clutch shooting from Kobe Bryant, who had 26 points, and a game-high 35 points from Kevin Durant.
The Lakers remained third in the West and stayed half a game ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers, who beat New Orleans 107-98 in the day's final game.
Meanwhile, Denver edged in front of Dallas for sixth in the same conference following their 101-74 blowout of Orlando.
In the Eastern Conference, Carmelo Anthony scored 39 points to help the New York Knicks edge Atlanta 113-112 and move half a game ahead of Philadelphia for seventh in the East.
A shorthanded Miami Heat beat Houston 97-88 behind 32 points from LeBron James. The Heat trail East-leading Chicago by two games with as many contests remaining.
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