The AP reports: Dwyane Wade finished with 50 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in another dazzling show, Jermaine O’Neal added 28 points and the Heat pulled off two huge last-ditch rallies before beating the Utah Jazz in a triple-overtime epic, 140-129 on Saturday… Wade tied his career high in scoring, set new bests in minutes (52 1/2 ), field goals made (19) and attempted (39), plus passed Alonzo Mourning to become Miami’s all-time points leader… Mario Chalmers scored 23 points for Miami, which shot 35-for-39 from the foul line and moved a season-high seven games over .500 (36-29). The Heat also got back within 1 1/2 games of Atlanta for fourth place in the Eastern Conference, and improved to 5-0 in overtime this season. Deron Williams scored 30 points and had 13 assists for the Jazz, who also got a season-high 25 points from Kyle Korver, along with seven rebounds and six assists. Carlos Boozer finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Jazz.
Jackson, Ellis lead Warriors over Mavericks
The AP reports: Stephen Jackson scored 31 points, Monta Ellis had season highs of 29 points and 11 rebounds, and the Golden State Warriors put a dent into Dallas’ playoff run, beating the Mavericks 119-110 Friday night… Jason Kidd recorded his second triple-double of the season with 21 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for the Mavericks, who had a three-game winning streak snapped. Kidd has 102 career triple-doubles, third on the list behind Oscar Robertson (181) and Magic Johnson (138). Dirk Nowitzki had 27 points and Jason Terry added 20… The Warriors lost center Andris Biedrins to a sprained left ankle after eight minutes, but Ronny Turiaf had another big game in his place.
LeBron’s 51 points give Cavs the Central title
The AP reports: LeBron James’ triple-double streak is over, though so is Cleveland’s division title drought. James scored 51 points, including six in overtime, and the Cavaliers clinched the Central Division title Friday night with a 126-123 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Although James failed to extend his triple-double streak to four games, he was clearly the difference, scoring a combined 22 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. He added nine assists while falling five points short of his career high… Anderson Varejao had 18 points and 12 rebounds for Cleveland, which secured its first division title since 1976 and just the second in franchise history… Kevin Martin scored 34 points for the Kings, who fell to 0-25 against the Eastern Conference. Bobby Jackson and Jason Thompson both had 19 points and Will Solomon scored 18.
Roy has 31 and Blazers beat Nets 109-100
The AP reports: Brandon Roy figured his shots had to start falling eventually—and they did. He wound up with 31 points and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the New Jersey Nets 109-100 on Friday night… Nicolas Batum hit a 3-pointer to make it 101-96 with 29 seconds left and seal it. The rookie from France had a career-high 20 points. LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points and 10 rebounds for Portland. Devin Harris scored 27 points for the New Jersey, which has lost five of seven. The Nets were coming off a 116-112 loss at Golden State which denied them a chance to move into playoff position.
Paul scores 30 as Hornets beat Bucks 95-86
The AP reports: Chris Paul skidded through a slick spot and hit the deck hard early in the third quarter. He stayed down for a few seconds, worried he might have hurt his ribs. Fortunately—for New Orleans, anyway—Paul was wearing a pad that absorbed most of the impact. So he got back up to score 22 of his 30 points the rest of the way as the Hornets beat the Milwaukee Bucks 95-86 on Friday night… David West scored 21 and Rasual Butler hit a pair of key 3-pointers down the stretch for the Hornets, who have won nine of their last 10 games… Richard Jefferson scored 27 for Milwaukee, which has lost five of its last six.
Knicks win third in row on road, 102-94 vs. Wolves
The AP reports: Nate Robinson fought through a stomach virus—he was throwing up on the bench— to finish with 25 points, and Wilson Chandler scored 24 points to spark the Knicks to their third straight win. “Definitely still have a long way to go, but we’re definitely headed in the right direction,” said Larry Hughes, who had 12 points… Ryan Gomes tied his season high with 28 points and Sebastian Telfair added 22 for Minnesota, which fell to 2-13 without Al Jefferson after turning the ball over 19 times.
Celtics bounce back with 102-92 win over Memphis
The AP reports: Leon Powe scored a career-high 30 points with 11 rebounds, and Ray Allen added 22 points on Friday night to help the Boston Celtics snap a two-game losing streak and beat the Memphis Grizzlies 102-92… “Since he’s been put in a starting role, he’s been really playing well for us,” said Celtics swingman Paul Pierce, who scored 17… Rudy Gay scored 26, O.J. Mayo had 21 and Marc Gasol had 11 points and 15 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who have lost four consecutive games as they struggle to stay out of the Western Conference cellar… Stephon Marbury had his best game since joining the Celtics, scoring nine points with five assists.
Johnson scores 30 as Hawks beat Pacers 101-87
The AP reports: Joe Johnson scored 30 points for the third straight game, and Al Horford finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds in the Hawks’ fourth straight victory, 101-87 over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night. Improving to 24-7 at home, Atlanta increased its lead over fifth-place Miami to two games in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks’ 38 wins are one more than their total from last season, when they advanced to the playoffs for the first time in nine years… T.J. Ford, who scored Indiana’s last 14 points, finished with 29. Troy Murphy pulled down 14 rebounds—all defensive—for the Pacers, who have lost two straight and three of four.
Hamilton, Pistons beat Raptors 99-95 in overtime
The AP reports: Richard Hamilton had 24 points and a career-high 16 assists, Antonio McDyess added 16 points and 13 rebounds, and the Pistons beat the Toronto Raptors 99-95 in overtime on Friday night. Detroit has won six of eight since Hamilton returned to the starting lineup in place of the injured Allen Iverson, and the change has the Pistons feeling like they’ve gone back in time… Rodney Stuckey scored 17 points and Jason Maxiell matched a season high with 16 for Detroit, which swept the season series from Toronto for the first time since 1997-98. The Pistons have won 14 of their past 17 against the Raptors. Chris Bosh had 27 points and 10 rebounds and Jose Calderon added 20 points and 11 assists, but it wasn’t enough as the Raptors lost their seventh straight, matching a season-high.
Howard’s strong game gets Magic past pesky Wizards
The AP reports: Dwight Howard had 18 points, 13 rebounds, a career-high seven assists and five blocks in Orlando’s 112-103 victory over the worst-in-the East Washington Wizards on Friday night, and he also collected his 13th tech this season… Indeed, Antawn Jamison scored a season-high 36 points for the Wizards, and second-year guard Nick Young added 20… As if the Wizards didn’t already have enough problems—what with Gilbert Arenas, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson sidelined by injuries—two-time All-Star Caron Butler sat out the second half with a tight hamstring. And reserve forward Andray Blatche left in the second half with a bum ankle.