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 The win, Boston's third in a row and 18th in the last 27 games, left
the Celtics in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and reduced
their magic number for clinching a playoff berth to one with two
games remaining. They lead the teams tied for eighth place, the
Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers, by a game and also own the
tiebreaker against both teams.
The Cavaliers, who will be the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference
(and would play Boston if the Celtics are seventh), played without
the resting LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and J.R. Smith.
Guard Isaiah Thomas came off the bench and led seven Celtics in
double figures with 17 points, adding six assists.
Bucks 96, Nets 73
MILWAUKEE -- Ersan Ilyasova scored 21 points and the Bucks punched
their ticket to the playoffs. Owners of the NBA's worst record a
year ago, the Bucks will head into the postseason with the sixth
seed in the East.
The Nets' loss, coupled with a victory by Boston and the Pacers win
over the Oklahoma City Thunder, leaves Brooklyn and Indiana tied for
the eighth spot in the East.
Center Brook Lopez led the Nets with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Guard Jarrett Jack added 11.
Pistons 116, Hornets 77
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Shooting guard Jodie Meeks fired in 24 points
off the bench to help Detroit cruise past depleted Charlotte.
Meeks reached the 20-point mark for the fourth time as Detroit won
by its largest margin of the season. Its previous best was a
28-point victory, 106-78, over Charlotte on Feb. 10.
Rookie forward Noah Vonleh achieved career highs with 16 points and
12 rebounds to lead the Hornets, who have lost four straight and 14
of their last 19.
Pacers 116, Thunder 104
INDIANAPOLIS -- Guard C.J. Miles scored a career-high-tying 30
points, and Indiana topped Oklahoma City.
A 12-0, fourth-quarter run that included 3-pointers from reserve
guard Rodney Stuckey and Miles and a three-point play from point
guard George Hill gave Indiana a 100-88 lead with 5:19 remaining.
Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook scored a career-best 54 points
but was whistled for his 16th technical foul of the season, meaning
he will have to sit out Monday night's home game against Portland.
His 54 are the most scored by a visiting player in Bankers Life
Fieldhouse.
Wizards 108, Hawks 99
WASHINGTON -- Guard John Wall had 24 points after missing the last
two games and Washington avoided a season sweep with a victory over
Atlanta.
Guard Bradley Beal scored 17 points as all five starters reached
double figures for the Wizards. Washington led by 16 points after
the first quarter, 66-45 at halftime and by as many as 25 in the
second half against the short-handed Hawks. Center Marcin Gortat had
15 points.
The Eastern Conference regular-season champions and top seed in the
upcoming playoffs rested its standard starters -- center Al Horford,
forward DeMarre Carroll and guards Kyle Korver and Jeff Teague.
Forward Paul Millsap missed his fourth straight game with a right
shoulder strain.
Nuggets 122, Kings 111
DENVER -- Kenneth Faried said it was strange seeing George Karl
sitting on the visitors' bench at Pepsi Center. That didn't stop the
Denver Nuggets forward from turning in a great game against his
former coach.
Faried scored a season-high 30 points, forward Wilson Chandler added
21 points and nine rebounds as Denver spoiled Karl's return to Pepsi
Center with a win over Sacramento.
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Faried shot 12-for-14 from the field to set his season high for the
second time in three games. He shook off the sight of Karl coaching
the Kings to continue his strong play in the stretch run of the
regular season. Guard Randy Foye had 16 points for the Nuggets, who
ended their home schedule with a losing record for the first time in
12 years. Denver went 19-22 at Pepsi Center.
Spurs 107, Suns 91
SAN ANTONIO -- Tim Duncan scored 22 points as San Antonio defeated
depleted Phoenix at the AT&T Center. The forward added 10 rebounds
in San Antonio's 11th straight overall victory.
San Antonio guard forward Kawhi Leonard tallied 18 points and nine
rebounds, and guard Marco Belinelli scored 13 points off the bench
to help the NBA champions close out the home portion of their
regular-season schedule with their ninth win at the AT&T Center.
Duncan also passed Moses Malone for 11th all-time in NBA history for
most games played (1,330).
San Antonio moved into first place in the Southwest Division
standings and into second in the conference standings by a half-game
over the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies and Houston
Rockets.
Rockets 121, Pelicans 114
HOUSTON -- James Harden scored 26 of his 30 points in the middle two
periods, and Corey Brewer exploded for 13 points in the fourth
quarter to help Houston rally for a critical victory over New
Orleans.
Brewer scored six points during a 14-3 run that lifted the Rockets
to the lead before adding a transition basket for a 100-92 advantage
with 8:12 left. The backup guard finished with 20 points.
Pelicans forward Anthony Davis scored a team-high 27 points, while
guard Jrue Holiday added 17 points off the bench. New Orleans
remains tied with Oklahoma City for the final Western Conference
playoff spot, but the Pelicans hold the tiebreaker.
Mavericks 120, Lakers 106
LOS ANGELES -- Center Tyson Chandler scored 20 points and grabbed
nine rebounds to lead seven players scoring in double figures, and
Dallas coasted past Los Angeles at Staples Center.
Forwards Richard Jefferson and Dirk Nowitzki had 17 and 16 points,
respectively, as the Mavericks (49-31), who have the No. 7 seed
locked up for the Western Conference playoffs, defeated the Lakers
for the seventh consecutive game, including the past three at
Staples, and swept the season series for the second year in a row.
Point guard Rajon Rondo finished with 11 points, 11 assists and
eight rebounds for the Mavericks.
Point guard Jordan Clarkson had 26 points and six assists to pace
the Lakers (21-59), who have lost six of their last seven.
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