Deron Williams scored a career-high 42 points and made a game-winning jumper with one second left in overtime to hand the Utah Jazz a 140-139 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.
The Jazz overcame 45 points from Kevin Durant thanks to Williams’ two-point shot from the top of the key as Utah defeated the Thunder (48-29) for the first time in four meetings this season.
Williams added 10 assists, while Carlos Boozer recorded 28 points and 15 rebounds to help Utah (51-27) move into second place in the Western Conference, half-a-game ahead of three teams.
PHOTO: EPA
“That was a fun game to be a part of,” Williams told reporters. “It felt like it was a playoff game with the way the West is. All these games are so important.”
Oklahoma City, seventh in the West, trailed the Jazz by 13 late in the fourth quarter before Durant led a comeback and Jeff Green made a game-tying three-pointer with eight seconds left in regulation.
Durant, who entered the night just behind LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBA scoring lead, racked up 17 points in the fourth, scoring four three-pointers in the last 4:25.
On the final possession of overtime, Durant appeared to be fouled by Utah’s C.J. Miles while attempting another three-pointer but did not get the call and protested to the officials.
“The referee didn’t call a foul,” said Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks. “You have to go with him. He had a better look than I had. That’s part of it. Sometimes you get those, sometimes you don’t.”
Point guard Russell Westbrook had 27 points and nine assists, while Green finished with 20 points for the Thunder, who are headed to their first postseason since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City before the start of last season.
CAVALIERS 113, RAPTORS 101
At Cleveland, the Toronto Raptors lost All-Star forward Chris Bosh to a broken bone in his face and saw their NBA playoff hopes dented with a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Bosh was accidentally struck by a stray elbow from Cleveland’s Antawn Jamison in the third minute. Bosh, who had blood dripping from his nose and mouth as he was assisted from the floor, suffered a maxilla and nasal fracture to the right side of his face and was to stay in hospital overnight.
Jamison scored 20 points — 12 in the third when the Cavs opened a double-digit lead — and Anthony Parker had a season-high 18 as the Cavaliers won an 11th straight home game. Cleveland wrapped up the NBA’s best record and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Jarrett Jack scored 23 for the Raptors, whose defeat clinched a playoff spot for the Miami Heat.
BUCKS 79, BULLS 74
In Chicago, Milwaukee secured a playoff spot by beating Chicago.
John Salmons scored 26 points against his former team for the Bucks, who were playing for the first time since center Andrew Bogut was injured.
Milwaukee wrapped up their first playoff berth since the 2005-2006 season. They are tied with Miami for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
The Bulls, who matched a season low for points, remained a game behind Toronto for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East.
BOBCATS 109, HAWKS 100
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Charlotte ensured their first non-losing season in their six-year history by downing Atlanta.
Gerald Wallace scored 28 points and Boris Diaw had 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the Bobcats, who inched closer to their first playoff berth and can finish no worse than .500.
Atlanta’s hopes of reaching 50 wins for the first time in 12 years were squashed as it fell behind by 20 points after the first quarter.
KNICKS 104, CELTICS 101
In New York, Danilo Gallinari scored a career-high 31 points, including the go-ahead basket with 36 seconds left, to help New York defeat Boston.
Earl Barron had 17 points and a career-best 18 rebounds for the Knicks, who temporarily avoided a third consecutive 50-loss season.
Ray Allen scored 17 points for the Celtics, who blew a chance to tie Atlanta for third place in the Eastern Conference. Boston botched its final possession and couldn’t get a tying 3-point attempt off in the final seconds.
SPURS 95, KINGS 86
In Sacramento, California, surging San Antonio notched a fourth straight win by downing Sacramento.
Richard Jefferson scored 18 points and Manu Ginobili had 16 for the Spurs, who moved into a sixth-place tie with Oklahoma City in the Western Conference playoff race.
Also on Tuesday, it was:
• Rockets 113, Grizzlies 103
• Pistons 124, 76ers 103
• Wizards 112, Warriors 94
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