NBA: Portland 104, Denver 76

PORTLAND, Ore., April 16 (UPI) -- Travis Outlaw led the way with 21 points Wednesday and Portland earned home-court advantage to open the playoffs with a 104-76 win over Denver.

As a result of earlier action around the NBA Wednesday, Denver had nothing to play for and Portland had plenty of incentive.

That combination was evident in the fourth quarter as Portland pulled away for its 54th victory of the season.

Portland finished with the same record as Denver in the Northwest Division, but the Nuggets captured the title by virtue of having a better record within the division. Denver also learned earlier in the evening that it would have the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs by virtue of Houston's loss to Dallas.

Houston's loss also gave Portland a chance at the No. 4 seed, which it captured with the win over Denver. Houston and Portland will meet in the first round, with Portland holding the home-court edge.

Outlaw made 7-of-9 shots from the field and Portland outscored the Nuggets in the fourth quarter 33-16. Rudy Fernandez added 18.

Denver was led by Chauncey Billups with 13. The Nuggets will face New Orleans to start the playoffs have home-court advantage in the opening round for the first time in 21 years.