The Toronto Raptors eliminated the New Jersey Nets from NBA playoff contention with a 113-85 victory Friday.
Carlos Delfino scored 24 points and Chris Bosh had 21 for Toronto as the Nets missed the playoffs for the first time since 2001.
The Raptors moved back into equal sixth place with Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference with three games remaining.
PHOTO: AFP
Grizziles 96, Heat 91
In Miami, Memphis beat Miami to ensure the Heat will finish with the league’s worst record.
With the NBA’s worst record, the Heat will have the best chance to win the lottery for the number one draft pick.
Celtics 102, Bucks 86
In Boston, Rajon Rondo had 16 points and 10 assists, then joined the rest of Boston starters on the bench for the fourth quarter in an easy win over Milwaukee.
The Bucks made more moves off the court than on it — hiring former Detroit Pistons vice president John Hammond as general manager and making the announcement during the third quarter.
Milwaukee lost its fifth consecutive game.
None of Boston’s starters played more than 25 minutes, and all sat out the entire fourth quarter again.
Pacers 85, 76ers 76
In Philadelphia, Indiana won its fourth straight by downing the 76ers.
Danny Granger had 30 points and 12 rebounds for the Pacers.
Hawks 116, Knicks 104
In New York, Atlanta stayed in control of the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference by beating New York.
Joe Johnson scored 34 points for the Hawks, who remained two games ahead of Indiana in the race for eighth, with three games to play for each team.
Atlanta has not made the playoffs for nine years.
The Hawks won all four meetings with the Knicks this season, sweeping the series for the first time since moving to Atlanta for the 1968-1969 season.
Bulls 100, Cavaliers 95
In Chicago, LeBron James tied a Cleveland record by scoring 24 of his 34 points in the first quarter of the loss to Chicago.
James made all 10 of his shots in the first quarter, dazzling the crowd with dunks and jumpers.
By the end of the quarter, he had tied the club record he set in the fourth against Toronto on Jan. 6.
Timberwolves 102, Magic 101
In Orlando, Florida, Ryan Gomes made a pair of free throws with 2.9 seconds remaining to give Minnesota victory over Orlando.
The Timberwolves snapped a six-game losing streak.
Hedo Turkoglu attempted a winning 3-pointer as time expired but missed as Orlando failed to get its 50th win of the season.
Pistons 102, Wizards 74
In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Jason Maxiell scored a career-high 28 points as Detroit beat Washington.
Chauncey Billups added 13 for the Pistons.
The loss cost the Wizards a chance to better their playoff position. Washington is fifth in the Eastern Conference, a game ahead of Philadelphia and Toronto, and two games off fourth-placed Cleveland and home advantage in the first round of playoffs.
Rockets 101, Suns 90
In Houston, the home side downed Phoenix to move one-and-a-half games ahead of the Suns and level with San Antonio in the Western Conference playoff race.
Tracy McGrady had 22 points, six rebounds and seven assists, and Luis Scola added 19 points as the Rockets won easily to stay equal fourth in the West.
Kings 103, Trail Blazers 86
In Sacramento, California, John Salmons scored 18 points in the second half to lead Sacramento over Portland.
Salmons, who started in place of the injured Ron Artest, also added six rebounds, four assists and two steals. He did not score and had just one rebound in the first half.
Lakers 107, Hornets 104
In Los Angeles, the home side beat New Orleans to move within a half-game of the Western Conference leaders.
Kobe Bryant, making a push for his first MVP award, had 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Lakers.
Los Angeles never trailed but weren’t assured of victory until the final minute.
Spurs 95, SuperSonics 74
In San Antonio, Tony Parker scored 20 points and San Antonio easily beat Seattle.
After struggling offensively for their last three games, the Spurs were able to put up big numbers.
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