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Pierce stabs Sixers with 27 points

Paul Pierce of the Celtics dunks over Kyle Korver of the 76ers during the second half in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Boston defeated Philadelphi 105-98. PHOTO: AP

Paul Pierce scored 27 points, including the go-ahead basket in the final minute, and Boston moved closer toward clinching the Atlantic Division title with a 105-98 win over second-place Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Allen Iverson scored 28 points and Kyle Korver added 17 for the 76ers, who fell three games behind Boston with five games remaining.

"This was the biggest game to date," said Pierce, who had 13 rebounds. "We had a lot on the line. We're our own worst enemy right now. It's in our hands to take."

Philadelphia holds the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, one game behind Cleveland and one game ahead of New Jersey.

Antoine Walker had 18 points for Boston, which saw a 5 1/2-game lead in the division slip to two games since March 19.

Back in the lineup after missing one game with two sprained thumbs, Iverson was 9-for-21 from the field and had 11 assists.

Chris Webber, returning after missing five games with a sprained left shoulder, finished with eight points and seven rebounds.

"I wanted to come back and be here for a big game," Webber said. "Something's got to change. Hopefully, it will get better soon."

Raptors 105, Knicks 93

In New York, Rafer Alston banked in a 3-pointer to start a 13-0 run midway through the fourth quarter, and Toronto sent New York to its 10th loss in 11 games.

Chris Bosh scored 29 points and Jalen Rose added 25 for the Raptors, who trailed by as many as 19 points. The 13-0 run gave Toronto a 91-85 lead.

Stephon Marbury scored all 22 of his points in the second half, and Maurice Taylor added 17 for the Knicks.

Spurs 95, Trail Blazers 89

In San Antonio, Manu Ginobili scored 30 points in 34 minutes and Nazr Mohammed added 14 rebounds -- 12 in the first half -- as San Antonio beat Portland to clinch the Southwest Division title.

It's the fourth division title in the past five years for the Spurs.

Portland has lost 15 of its last 16 games and 21 of its past 23. The Trail Blazers are 3-19 under coach Kevin Pritchard who replaced the fired Maurice Cheeks on March 2.

The Spurs are 8-4 without Tim Duncan, who sprained his right ankle and hasn't played since March 20.

Suns 99, Hornets 85

In Phoenix, Amare Stoudemire scored 27 points, including making 15 of 16 free throws, and Phoenix dominated the fourth quarter to beat New Orleans.

Jim Jackson, starting in place of injured Quentin Richardson and coming off a season-high 25 points at the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, was 6-of-7 from 3-point range and scored 20 points. Shawn Marion added 18 points and 17 rebounds for the Suns, who at 59-19 stayed one game ahead of San Antonio for the best record in the NBA and homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.

The 59 victories ties the Suns' second-best total in franchise history, accomplished in 1994-95. The victory made Phoenix only the fourth team in NBA history to accomplish a 30-game turnaround from the previous season.
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