The AP reports: Jason Thompson had 21 points and Spencer Hawes added a career-high 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Sacramento Kings in a 126-118 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night. Steve Nash scored 31 points for Phoenix which went 0-3 on it road trip and trails Dallas by four games for the eighth and final spot it the Western Conference playoff race. The Suns have eight games remaining, including four of their final six on the road. Andres Nocioni and Francisco Garcia each had 19 points for the Kings, who had lost seven of their eight previous games. Kevin Martin scored 17 and Beno Udrih added 16 points and seven assists. Shaquille O’Neal had 24 points and nine rebounds, Grant Hill 19 points, Jared Dudley had 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Jason Richardson added 16 points for Phoenix.
Pierce scores 27, Celtics beat Thunder 103-84
The AP reports: Boston Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss scored it as the first, unofficial triple-double in Glen “Big Baby” Davis’ career: 19 points, 10 rebounds—and 10 stitches. The Celtics power forward left in the third quarter after being elbowed in the head and returned after getting stitched up to score 15 points in the final 10 minutes and lead Boston to a 103-84 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night… “Baby’s a bleeder,” said Paul Pierce, who scored 27 points… Eddie House scored 14 of his 16 in the second half—nine of them during an 11-1 run in the third quarter when the Celtics took the lead for good. Reserve Mikki Moore scored 12 with 11 boards and Rajon Rondo had 12 assists to help the Celtics win their sixth out of seven despite missing Garnett for the 15th time in 19 games… Russell Westbrook scored 23 points and Kevin Durant added 21 for the Thunder, which lost their third straight and fifth of six.
Granger scores 31, Pacers beat Wizards 124-115
The AP reports: Brandon Rush is finally giving Indiana more than one consistent scoring option. Starting his third straight game, the Pacers rookie continued his late-season tear with 29 points and 10 rebounds Sunday night in a 124-115 victory over the Washington Wizards… Danny Granger finished with 31 points for the Pacers… Jarrett Jack added 19 points for the Pacers. Washington was led by Caron Butler with 31 points and 13 rebounds and Antawn Jamison with 29 points. Javaris Crittenton added a season-high 19 points for the Wizards… As expected, the Wizards’ Gilbert Arenas did not play… Indiana’s Troy Murphy, who sprained a knee ligament in a shootaround on Wednesday, also did not play for the third straight game.
Iverson returns, Pistons beat Sixers 101-97
The AP reports: Tayshaun Prince scored 21 points, Rodney Stuckey added 16 points and Allen Iverson returned from a back injury to help the Detroit Pistons beat the Philadelphia 76ers 101-97 on Sunday and gain ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Iverson, who missed 16 games, scored eight points in 22 minutes as Detroit pulled within 1 1/2 games of Philadelphia for sixth place in the conference. Philadelphia’s Samuel Dalembert left in the first quarter with a leg injury and didn’t return. Richard Hamilton had 14 points and seven assists for the Pistons, and Antonio McDyess scored 13. Andre Iguodala had 24 points and Thaddeus Young added 22 for the 76ers.
Bosh, Bargnani lead Raptors to OT win over Bulls
The AP reports: Chris Bosh didn’t panic after watching the Chicago Bulls erase Toronto’s 17-point lead and send the game to overtime. He just helped the Raptors win in the extra period. Bosh had 31 points and 15 rebounds, Andrea Bargnani scored 28 points and the Raptors beat the Bulls 134-129 Sunday. Chicago’s Ben Gordon had 37 points, including a buzzer-beating jumper over Bosh that sent it to overtime… Jose Calderon had 22 points and a career-high 19 assists, Shawn Marion scored 16 points and Pops Mensah-Bonsu added 13 as the Raptors set a franchise-high for points and extended their winning streak to a season-high four games… Chicago rookie Derrick Rose had 23 but the Bulls failed to get their first five-game winning streak since Dec. 11-19, 2006.
Wolves snap 7-game skid with 108-99 win over Nets
The AP reports: Playing more aggressively than he has in months, Mike Miller had 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists to help the Minnesota Timberwolves snap a seven-game losing streak with a 108-99 victory over the fading Nets on Sunday. Ryan Gomes scored 21 and Kevin Love added 16 points and 11 boards for the Timberwolves, who had lost 18 of their last 20 games. “It’s just unacceptable,” said Nets guard Vince Carter, whose 36 points and eight rebounds weren’t enough to offset New Jersey’s general malaise… Devin Harris had 19 points and five assists in his second game back from a shoulder injury for the Nets, who have lost four in a row.
Hawks hold off Kobe and the Lakers, 86-76
The AP reports: Mike Bibby scored 21 points and buried Los Angeles with his improbable 3, leading the Atlanta Hawks to an 86-76 victory in which they took advantage of an ailing Bryant and dropped the Lakers farther behind Cleveland in the race for the NBA’s best overall record… The Lakers secured the top seed in the Western Conference with a five-game winning streak, but Bryant had just 17 points on 7-of-19 shooting. He missed the morning meal and film session because of an upset stomach, then had his second straight subpar game… Pau Gasol was the only other Los Angeles player in double figures, leading with 21 points, as the Lakers made just 35 percent (28 of 80) from the field… Zaza Pachulia had 11 points and 13 rebounds, leading a strong effort by the thin Hawks bench.
Cavaliers top Mavs 102-74 for 12th straight win
The AP reports: LeBron James scored 24 points with 12 assists while orchestrating Cleveland’s show on and off the floor as the Cavs made more history with a 102-74 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, hitting the 60-win mark and extending their winning streak to a franchise record 12 straight… Cleveland is the 61st team to win 60 games in the regular season. Dirk Nowitzki scored 20 for the Mavericks, who came in with a three-game lead over Phoenix for the No. 8 playoff spot in the West. Dallas was held to a season-low in points… Mo Williams added 22 points, Zydrunas Ilgauskas 14 and Joe Smith had his best game since returning to the Cavs, adding 12 points with 13 rebounds and was Cleveland’s only consistent player in the first half.
Mark Cuban fined for Twitter comments
The AP reports: The NBA slapped Mavericks owner Mark Cuban with a $25,000 fine Sunday for publicly criticizing the officials after Denver’s 103-101 win over Dallas. Cuban used the Twitter online social network to complain after Friday night’s game that Denver’s J.R. Smith was not called for coming off the bench to taunt Antoine Wright after he missed a shot near the Nuggets bench.
James Posey suspended for throwing ball at ref
James Posey of the New Orleans Hornets has been suspended one game without pay for throwing a ball at a game official, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.
The incident occurred with 5:46 remaining in the fourth quarter of the New York Knicks 103-93 victory over the Hornets at Madison Square Garden on Friday, March 27.
Posey will serve his suspension tonight when the Hornets host the San Antonio Spurs at the New Orleans Arena.