Carlos Boozer scored 25 points and the Utah Jazz kept their slim playoff hopes alive by holding off the Houston Rockets 85-83 on Monday night when Juwan Howard's shot at the buzzer was ruled too late.
The Rockets, who lost center Yao Ming in the first quarter with a broken foot, had a chance at the end after Boozer went 1-for-2 from the free throw line with 4.3 seconds left.
Chuck Hayes, who had just missed two free throws at the other end, pulled down the rebound on the second shot and Houston called time out.
Rafer Alston dribbled at the top of the key, but took a little too long to get the ball to Howard in the corner in front of the Jazz bench. Howard's shot went in but he didn't get the ball off in time.
After reviewing the play, referee Joe Crawford ended the game by shouting "no good" toward Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy and the Rockets.
Howard finished with 25 points and Alston scored 20 for the Rockets.
They were the only Houston players to score in double figures, although the shorthanded Rockets came close to all-but knocking Utah out of the playoff race.
The Jazz improved to 38-39 and within 2.5 games of the Lakers and Kings, who are tied for the last two playoff spots.
76ers 105, Wizards 97
At Philadelphia, Allen Iverson had 26 points and 15 assists and Kyle Korver added 20 points to help the 76ers take sole possession of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Stephen Hunter, playing for the injured Chris Webber, tied a career high with 20 points, and Andre Iguodala added 19 as the Sixers won their second straight game to move a half-game ahead of Chicago for eighth place in the East.
Antawn Jamison scored a season-high 37 and Gilbert Arenas had 32 for Washington, which missed an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot.
The Sixers had lost 13 of 17 before beating the Bulls in Chicago on Saturday night.
Pacers 101, Knicks 82
At Indianapolis, Stephen Jackson scored 28 points and Peja Stojakovic added 23 to help the Pacers beat New York and improve their chances of making the playoffs.
Austin Croshere added 17 points and 11 rebounds as the Pacers moved into a tie for the sixth position in the Eastern Conference. Indiana stopped New York's winning streak at three games.
Jamal Crawford led the Knicks with 26 points and seven assists, but no other Knicks player scored more than 12 points.
Magic 105, Hawks 88
At Orlando, Florida, Dwight Howard scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to help the Magic keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Howard tied his career high with six assists as the Magic won for the ninth time in their last 10 games.
Jameer Nelson added 17 points and Hedo Turkoglu had 16 for the Magic, who shot 52.6 percent from the field.
Orlando (33-44) is in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, three games behind Philadelphia for the final playoff spot.
The Magic have five games remaining.
Al Harrington led the Hawks with 19 points.
Atlanta had six players reach double figures, but only shot 43 percent from the field. The Hawks were 2-for-13 on 3-pointers.
Cavaliers 103, Hornets 101
At Oklahoma City, LeBron James hit a jumper from the top of the key with 0.5 seconds left to lift the Cavaliers.
After P.J. Brown blocked James' driving layup, Desmond Mason tied the game at 101 when he made one of two free throws with 5.8 seconds left.
Mason then had the task of guarding James -- who scored 32 points -- off an inbounds pass from Flip Murray, but couldn't stop him from elevating just inside the 3-point line for the game-winner.
Brown caught an inbounds pass from Speedy Claxton but couldn't get a tying shot off before the buzzer.
Paul led New Orleans with 22 points.
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