MILWAUKEE – Paul Pierce scored 32 points, including the game-winning basket with 19 seconds left, and the Boston Celtics beat the Milwaukee Bucks 111-108 Wednesday night.
Antoine Walker and Ricky Davis each had 17 points for the Celtics, who increased their lead in the Atlantic Division over Philadelphia to 31/2 games with four to play. Boston’s magic number to clinch the title and the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs is two.
Michael Redd scored 28 points for the Bucks, who lost their third straight, while Dan Gadzuric added a career-high 22. His previous best was 19 points twice, including Jan. 28 at Denver.
Pierce’s 13-foot jumper gave the Celtics a 110-108 lead. Davis hit one free throw with 6.5 seconds left for the final margin. With 1 second left, the Bucks tried to get off a shot to tie, but Desmond Mason’s pass went out of bounds.
A basket by Zaza Pachulia of the Bucks made it 101-101, the fifth tie in the final quarter and 15th in the game. But Pierce scored with 4:11 remaining and on the next possession he added two free throws for a 105-101 lead.
Wizards 93, Bulls 82
WASHINGTON – The Washington Wizards are returning to the playoffs for the first time since 1997, clinching their spot moments after Wednesday night’s 93-82 victory over the short-handed Chicago Bulls.
The victory came just before the New Jersey Nets lost to Indiana, giving the Wizards the combination they needed with a week to play in the regular season.
Bobcats 105, Hawks 84
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Emeka Okafor had 17 points and 11 rebounds on Wednesday night to lead Charlotte to a 105-84 victory over the Atlanta Hawks and guarantee the expansion Bobcats of not finishing with the worst record in the NBA.
The win was the 17th of the season for the Bobcats and moved them five games ahead of Atlanta (12-66) with just four games to play.
Pistons 103, Magic 94
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Ben Wallace became the fifth player in NBA history to have 100 blocks and 100 steals in five straight seasons and six Detroit Pistons scored in double figures in a 103-94 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.
Pacers 90, Nets 86
INDIANAPOLIS – Reggie Miller is in postseason form. Now the Indiana Pacers hope to reward him with one more long playoff run.
Miller scored seven of his 22 points in a late 22-second flurry to help the Pacers rally from a six-point deficit and beat the New Jersey Nets 90-86 on Wednesday night, clinching Indiana’s eighth straight playoff berth.
Wolves 116, Warriors 100
MINNEAPOLIS – Kevin Garnett posted his first triple-double of a disappointing season, finishing with 21 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 116-100 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.
For a few minutes, at least, the Wolves staved off elimination in the Western Conference playoff race.
They began the game needing to win their final five and get five straight losses by eighth-place Memphis.
Rockets 100, Grizzlies 92
HOUSTON – Yao Ming scored 28 points and Tracy McGrady had 23 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to lead the Houston Rockets to their fourth straight victory Wednesday night, 100-92 over Memphis to deny the Grizzlies a chance to clinch a playoff spot.
Nuggets 116, Hornets 102
DENVER – Carmelo Anthony scored 19 points to lead seven Denver players in double figures and the Nuggets extended their winning streak to a season-high nine games with a 116-102 victory over the New Orleans Hornets Wednesday night.
Jazz 93, Spurs 91
SALT LAKE CITY – Mehmet Okur put back a rebound with 2.4 seconds remaining and the Utah Jazz spoiled Tim Duncan’s return and possibly San Antonio’s chances at the best record in the NBA with a 93-91 victory over the Spurs on Wednesday night.
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