Bucks beat Heat 90-85, hurting Miami in East chase
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The Miami Heat's Forward Lebron James shoots over the Milwaukee Bucks' Forward Corey Maggette, as Bucks' Guard John Salmons (L) looks on, in the first half of their NBA basketball game in Miami, Florida April 6, 2011. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) |
John Salmons scored 17 points, and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute added 14 points and 12 rebounds as the already-eliminated Milwaukee Bucks beat the host Miami Heat 90-85 yesterday.
The loss knocked Miami (54-24) a half-game back of Boston in the race for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Carlos Delfino's 3-pointer with 24 seconds left helped seal it for the Bucks, who got 14 points from Corey Maggette. Milwaukee was eliminated from playoff contention during the game, thanks to Indiana's win over Washington.
LeBron James scored 29 points for Miami, which played without injured guard Dwyane Wade, the NBA's No. 3 scorer.
Thunder 112, Clippers 108
At Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 29 points and Russell Westbrook added 26 as Oklahoma City clinched the Northwest Division title.
The Thunder won the first division crown for the franchise since 2005, when they were known as the Seattle SuperSonics, but only after fending off a late charge from the Clippers.
Blake Griffin had 35 points and 11 rebounds in the second visit to his hometown in his NBA career, but he missed a key foul shot that helped put the game away for Oklahoma City.
Hornets 101, Rockets 93
At New Orleans, Chris Paul had 28 points and 10 assists as New Orleans clinched a playoff spot.
Trevor Ariza, acquired by the Hornets from Houston in an offseason trade, scored 19 for a second straight game and equaled a season high with six steals.
Jarrett Jack added 19 points, while seventh-year pro Emeka Okafor, who's never been to the playoffs, added 11 points to help rookie coach Monty Williams get there with a far shorter wait.
Kevin Martin scored 21 for Houston, which is now on the brink of elimination.
Pacers 136, Wizards 112
At Indianapolis, Danny Granger scored 25 points as Indiana clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2006.
The Pacers needed a win and a Charlotte loss to Orlando to clinch a spot in the postseason. As the Pacers' game ended, the Orlando-Charlotte game was in overtime, and the Conseco Fieldhouse staff put the game on the Jumbotron. Many fans stayed to cheer to the Magic on to a 111-102 win.
Paul George scored a career-high 23 points and Darren Collison added 15 points and 11 assists for the Pacers.
Jordan Crawford scored 29 points and John Wall had 19 points and nine rebounds for Washington.
Nuggets 104, Mavericks 96
At Dallas, J.R. Smith broke a tie in the final minutes with a layup and immediately followed with a jump shot, lifting Denver past Dallas.
Smith scored 23 points and Kenyon Martin added 18 as the Nuggets won for the seventh time in eight games.
Playing without Jason Kidd or Tyson Chandler, the Mavericks lost their fourth straight, and ninth in a row against Western Conference playoff teams.
Magic 111, Bobcats 102
At Charlotte, North Carolina, Gilbert Arenas scored 25 points as Orlando overcame Quentin Richardson's ejection and Dwight Howard's 18th technical foul to eliminate Charlotte from playoff contention.
Jameer Nelson atoned for two turnovers in the closing seconds of regulation by hitting a jumper and banking in a 3-pointer in Orlando's 12-2 run to open the extra period. Brandon Bass added 19 points for the Magic, who secured their fourth consecutive 50-win season.
Gerald Henderson scored a career-high 32 points for the Bobcats.
Knicks 97, 76ers 92
At Philadelphia, Carmelo Anthony had 31 points and 11 rebounds and Amare Stoudemire scored 18 points as New York moved into sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Toney Douglas bailed out the Knicks after they blew a 19-point lead and trailed by one late in the fourth.
Andre Iguodala pulled the Sixers within one with his first 3-pointer of the game. Anthony delivered with a big-time 3-pointer and pounded his chest in celebration with a 95-91 lead.
Spurs 124, Kings 92
At San Antonio, Manu Ginobili scored 25 points as San Antonio moved to the brink of the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs .
The Spurs can clinch home-court advantage throughout the West playoffs with their next victory or loss by the Los Angeles Lakers.
George Hill scored 12 of his 19 points during the third quarter, when the Spurs outscored the Kings by 20 in their best offensive quarter of the season.
Tyreke Evans led the Kings with 16 points and rookie DeMarcus Cousins added 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Cavaliers 104, Raptors 96
At Toronto, J.J. Hickson scored 28 points to lead Cleveland past Toronto.
Jerryd Bayless scored 28 points for the Raptors (21-57), DeMar DeRozan added 19 points and Reggie Evans had a season-high 15 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Sonny Weems finished with 17 points.
Baron Davis added 19 points for the Cavs (17-61), while Ramon Sessions chipped in with 15, Ryan Hollins finished with 14, and Alonzo Gee added 10.
Pistons 116, Nets 109
At Auburn Hills, Michigan, Richard Hamilton scored 25 points and Rodney Stuckey added 22 to lead Detroit.
Brook Lopez scored a career-high 39 points for New Jersey, which was without star Deron Williams. The point guard was out with an injured right wrist. Lopez nearly made up for his absence, but the Nets settled for outside shots against Detroit's zone defense late in the game.
Suns 108, Timberwolves 98
At Minneapolis, Marcin Gortat scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as Phoenix dropped Minnesota into last place in the NBA.
Minnesota has lost 11 consecutive games and 22 of its past 26.
Michael Beasley scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves.
Hakim Warrick and Grant Hill each scored 17 points for the Suns.
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