Jordan brings Wizards closer to playoff berth

Washington Wizards' Michael Jordan, right, drives around Cleveland Cavaliers' Jumaine Jones in the second quarter, on Tuesday, in Cleveland. The Wizards' 100-91 victory edged them closer to a playoff position. PHOTO: AP

Michael Jordan scored 26 points on 10-of-19 shooting to help the Washington Wizards edge closer to a playoff berth with a 100-91 win over the Cavaliers on Tuesday.

Jordan, who earlier in the day said he had no plans to return to the Chicago Bulls in a management role when the season ends, also grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds.

Jerry Stackhouse added 18 for the Wizards, who moved to within 1 1/2 games of the idle Milwaukee Bucks for the Eastern Conference's final playoff berth.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas top scored for Cleveland, the NBA's worst team, with 23 points, with Ricky Davis adding 18 and 11 assists.

Bulls 115 Pacers 103

Meanwhile in Chicago, the Bulls used a 30-18 final quarter to beat the Indiana Pacers 115-103.

Indiana have pulled to within half a game of division-leading Detroit with a win but Jamal Crawford's career-high 33 points for Chicago ensured the Pacers they remained in second place in the Central division.

Lakers 108 Mavericks 99

In Los Angeles, the Lakers defeated Dallas 108-99 to hand the Mavericks their 25th straight loss in L.A. and also end their reign atop the Western Conference.

The Mavs and the surging San Antonio Spurs now share top spot with identical 57-20 records.

The Lakers, who got 21 points from former first round draft pick Devean George, they are within a game of the fifth-place Minnesota Timberwolves.

Suns 98 Nuggets 78

In Denver, the Phoenix Suns moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the Houston Rockets for the final playoff place in the Western Conference with a convincing 98-78 win over the lowly Nuggets.

Shawn Marion notched 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Phoenix, which has won five of seven.

Juwan Howard had 15 points to topscore for Denver. Kings 107 SuperSonics 85

In Sacramento, Chris Webber scored 20 points while Peja Stojakovic had 18 for the Kings in their 107-85 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics.

Philadelphia 91 Pistons 74

In Philadelphia, a swollen left knee could not prevent the 76ers' Allen Iverson from scoring 37 points in a 91-74 rout of the Detroit Pistons.

Kenny Thomas added 16 points while grabbing 15 rebounds for Philadelphia.

Knicks 99 Hawks 95

In New York, Allan Houston notched 29 points as the New York Knicks outlasted the Atlanta Hawks 99-95 to keep alive their slim hopes of qualifying for the post-season.

New York has to win its four remaining games and hope that the Milwaukee Bucks lose their final five for the Knicks to advance.

Trail Blazers 81 Rockets 66

In Houston, the Portland Trail Blazers held the Rockets to under 30 per cent shooting and dealt the home side's playoffs hopes a blow with a 81-66 victory.

Damon Stoudamire grabbed 21 points for play-off bound Portland while Houston shot a franchise low 29.5 per cent from the floor. James Posey scored 15 points while rookie Chinese center Yao Ming grabbed six points and 12 rebounds for the Rockets, which are now 1 1/2 games behind the Phoenix Suns for the West's final playoff spot.

Warriors 128 Jazz 102

In Oakland, the Golden State Warriors got 34 points from Gilbert Arenas in a 128-102 romp over the playoff-bound Utah Jazz.

Karl Malone led the Jazz with 17 points and 10 rebounds.