Grizzlies strengthen NBA playoff grip
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The host Memphis Grizzlies strengthened their grip on an NBA playoff spot with a 111-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs yesterday in what could be a precursor to a possible postseason matchup.
Tony Allen and Zach Randolph had 23 points apiece for Memphis, which currently holds the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. If the Grizzlies earn the No. 8 seed, they will likely face the NBA-leading Spurs in the opening round of the playoffs.
George Hill matched his career high with 30 points on 9-of-12 shooting for the Spurs, who slumped to a third straight loss.
Lakers 102, Hornets 84
In Los Angeles, Los Angeles inched closer to the top of the overall NBA standings with a comfortable win over New Orleans.
Kobe Bryant scored 30 points and Pau Gasol had 23 points and 16 rebounds as the Lakers made it 15 wins from 16 games.
The two-time defending NBA champions jumped to an 18-point lead in the first half and weathered the Hornets' fourth-quarter rally to sweep the four-game season series with a possible first-round playoff opponent.
Carl Landry had a season-high 24 points and 10 rebounds in New Orleans' second game without injured scoring leader David West.
Thunder 99, Trail Blazers 90
In Oklahoma City, the hosts secured their second straight playoff berth by defeating Portland.
Russell Westbrook hit three late 3-pointers, including the clincher with 21 seconds left which put the Thunder up 97-90.
Gerald Wallace, who scored 40 points, missed at the other end and the Thunder was able to celebrate another postseason berth.
Wallace was unguardable at times in the second half as he carried the Trail Blazers back from a 14-point halftime deficit. His total, on 16-of-28 shooting, was a season high and just two points shy of his career best.
Westbrook scored 28 and Kevin Durant finished with 21 for Oklahoma City.
Heat 125, Rockets 119
In Miami, three Miami players reached 30 points and 10 rebounds as the Heat downed Houston.
LeBron James had 33 points and 10 rebounds, Chris Bosh added 31 points and 12 rebounds, and Dwyane Wade shook off a bruised tailbone to finish with 30 points and 11 boards as Miami made it eight wins in nine games.
It was the first time since February 1961 that three teammates reached the 30 point-10 rebound double in regulation time in the same game. On that occasion, Oscar Robertson, Jack Twyman and Wayne Embry - Hall of Famers all - did it for the Cincinnati Royals in a loss to the Philadelphia Warriors.
Kevin Martin scored 29 points for the Rockets, who suffered their first defeat in six games.
Mavericks 91, Suns 83
In Phoenix, Dallas pulled out a victory over Phoenix that may have dropped the curtains on the Suns' hopes for a playoff berth.
Phoenix led most of the ugly game and it was tied at 83 with 1:37 to play. Jason Kidd sank a 3-pointer one from long range with 1:11 to go to make it 86-83 to the Mavericks. Channing Frye, scoreless and 0 for 4 shooting, inexplicably forced a 3-point airball at the other end and Kidd responded with another 3 that put Dallas ahead 89-83 with 44 seconds to go.
Marcin Gortat had 20 points and 15 rebounds for Phoenix.
Dallas won its fourth straight and improved to 12-1 against the Pacific Division. Phoenix dropped to 36-36, four games behind Memphis for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West with 10 games to play.
Celtics 85, Timberwolves 82
In Minneapolis, Boston nearly gave away another huge lead in a victory over Minnesota.
Paul Pierce had 23 points and seven rebounds and Kevin Garnett - against his old side - had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics, who led by 25 early in the second quarter, but trailed by two midway through the fourth.
Michael Beasley had 28 points and 10 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who were missing All-Star Kevin Love for the third straight game because of a groin strain.
Kings 114, 76ers 111, OT
In Philadelphia, Marcus Thornton scored 32 points and former Philadelphia center Samuel Dalembert made two free throws in the closing seconds of overtime to lift Sacramento over Philadelphia.
Beno Udrih made a big 3-pointer in the closing minutes, too, and the Kings won their third straight.
The Sixers were led by Jrue Holiday's 28 points as they missed a good chance to keep up with fifth-placed Atlanta.
Hawks 99, Cavaliers 83
In Cleveland, Marvin Williams scored a season-high 31 points to help Atlanta beat Cleveland.
Al Horford added 20 for the Hawks, who were without leading scorer Joe Johnson, but never trailed against the league's worst team.
Williams took advantage of his increased playing time by shooting 9 of 14 from the field, including three 3-pointers, and 8 of 9 from the foul line in 43 minutes.
Baron Davis, who is expected to move into Cleveland's starting lineup soon, came off the bench and scored 19 points.
Warriors 114, Wizards 104
In Oakland, Monta Ellis had 37 points and 13 assists, leading Golden State past road-weary Washington.
Ellis played the entire game and added seven rebounds, and David Lee had a season-high 33 points for the Warriors.
JaVale McGee had a career-high 28 points and tied his career best with 18 rebounds for the Wizards, who have a 1-35 record on the road this season.
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