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During the 2012 NBA playoffs, game recaps are on our basketball blog.


NBA DAILY FOR MONDAY, APR. 30:
Recaps of NBA games played Sunday

Parker's 28 leads Spurs over Jazz 106-91 in Game 1 -- The AP reports: This was not another early playoff letdown by the San Antonio Spurs. For the first time in four years, they won a series opener. But more important to them was Tony Parker looking like his old postseason self. Putting together his best playoff game since 2009, Parker scored 28 points and the top-seeded Spurs erased four years of putting themselves in 0-1 holes to start the playoffs, beating the Utah Jazz 106-91 in Game 1 of their first-round series Sunday. It marked the 11th straight win for the Spurs dating to the regular season, and kept the Spurs from being hounded by the same doubts that emerged this time last year when they also entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed, only to be ousted by Memphis... Game 2 is Wednesday in San Antonio. Hayward scored 17 points and Al Jefferson had 16 for the Jazz, who present the Spurs problems with a bigger frontcourt but contributed to their own doom with 16 turnovers. ''But we are a young team,'' Millsap said. ''Things like that happen.'' Tim Duncan added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs, who despite boasting the No. 1 seed for a second straight year hadn't won a Game 1 in its last six postseason series. The last one was a double-overtime win over Phoenix in 2008, which was also round the last time that the Spurs entered the playoffs as healthy as they are now... The Spurs made their own lineup tweak. Boris Diaw started alongside Duncan in the frontcourt, making for a pairing that undersized San Antonio could stick with for the playoffs.

Bynum's triple-double leads Lakers past Nuggets -- The AP reports: A day before Andrew Bynum produced one of the most eye-popping defensive performances in NBA playoff history, he spoke up to his Lakers teammates about the importance of getting off to a good start in their championship quest. With an NBA record-tying 10 blocked shots, the 7-foot All-Star center put the Lakers on the good foot - and the Denver Nuggets on their heels. Kobe Bryant scored 31 points, Bynum posted the Lakers' first playoff triple-double in 21 years, and Los Angeles thoroughly controlled the tempo in a playoff-opening 103-88 victory Sunday. Despite a few well-chronicled fluctuations in his motivation and discipline this year, the seventh-year pro had perfect focus in Game 1, capping his utter dominance in the paint with his record-tying block of Timofey Mozgov with 3:02 to play. Bynum also had 10 points and 13 rebounds before checking out to an ovation. ''It's the only way really possible for me to get a triple-double - through blocked shots,'' Bynum said of his first career triple-double... While Bynum had the Lakers' first playoff triple-double since Magic Johnson in the 1991 NBA finals, fellow 7-footer Pau Gasol added 13 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the playoff-tested Lakers, who never trailed while forcing Denver to play Los Angeles' preferred half-court style... The sixth-seeded Nuggets won eight of 10 to reach the postseason, but most of their fears about this playoff matchup were realized. Andre Miller had 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while helping out Ty Lawson, Denver's leading scorer, who managed just seven points while failing to make a shot in the first three quarters for the NBA's second-youngest playoff roster. Ramon Sessions had 14 points and five assists in his first career playoff game for the third-seeded Lakers, who lost last year's postseason opener to New Orleans.

Rondo tirade could be mean double-loss for Celtics -- The AP reports: Talk about a tough playoff opener for the Boston Celtics. One game, possibly two big losses. There was the score, of course, which went in favor of Atlanta. With Josh Smith scoring 22 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, the Hawks built a big lead early and held on for an 83-74 victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs Sunday night. But what happened in the hectic final minute could have a huge impact on Game 2, and possibly the entire series. Boston star Rajon Rondo objected to a foul call on one of his teammates, chest-bumped the official who made it, and was quickly sent to the locker room. Now, all the Celtics can do is nervously await the likely wrath of NBA Commissioner David Stern, who's never been too lenient on anyone striking his refs... ''It's out of my control,'' said Rondo, who up to that point had been a huge bright spot for the Celtics with 20 points and 11 assists... Josh Smith totally outplayed Boston's Kevin Garnett over the first two quarters, going into the break with 15 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. Garnett had only two points on 1-of-9 shooting.Celtics guard Ray Allen missed a playoff game for the first time in his career, watching from the bench in a suit and tie because of an ailing right ankle... The Hawks, meanwhile, started third-stringer Collins at center.

Clippers rally from 27 down, stun Grizzlies 99-98 -- The AP reports: Chris Paul begged coach Vinny Del Negro to put him back into the game for the fourth quarter and not give up despite being down 21 points. The result was another Clippers comeback - one of the greatest in NBA playoff history. Paul hit a pair of free throws with 23.7 seconds left, and the Clippers rallied from a deficit that had been as much as 27 to stun the Memphis Grizzlies 99-98 Sunday night in the opening game of their Western Conference series... The Clippers tied the NBA playoff record for largest deficit overcome at the end of three quarters, when they trailed by 21... The Clippers lost Caron Butler to a broken left hand, and he said he thinks he caught his hand in Gay's jersey on a screen. Del Negro said other players will have to step up. Nick Young did just that, scoring 19 points off the bench with three 3-pointers in the midst of the Clippers' 26-1 run. Paul finished with 14 points while playing a team-high 38 minutes despite a groin injury that kept him out of the regular season finale against the Knicks. Griffin had 17 and Butler 12 before leaving the game... Gay finished with 19 for Memphis. Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo had 17, and Marc Gasol scored 14.

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NBA DAILY FOR SUNDAY, APR. 29:
Recaps of NBA games played Saturday

Bulls lose Rose to torn ACL in win over 76ers -- The AP reports: Derrick Rose crumbled to the floor, clutching his left knee. His season is over and the Bulls' title hopes just might be finished, too. Rose will miss the rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee late in Chicago's 103-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Saturday's playoff opener, casting big cloud over a team eyeing a championship run. He scored 23 points and was playing more like the league's reigning MVP after missing 27 games because of injuries during the regular season, but his injury-plagued season came to an end as the Bulls were wrapping up an impressive victory. Rose crumbled to the ground after he drove the lane with about 1:20 left and the Bulls leading by 12. He was going for a layup when he came to a jump-stop and seemed to change his mind as the 76ers' Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen rotated over, passing off to a teammate before an awkward landing... Rose found his touch after a slow start in this game and also contributed nine rebounds and nine assists. Hamilton added 19 points, Luol Deng scored 17 and Joakim Noah (12 points, 13 rebounds) had a double-double for Chicago. Elton Brand led Philadelphia with 19 points. Jrue Holiday scored 16, and Thaddeus Young had 13 points. Chicago product Evan Turner scored 12 and was booed mercilessly after acknowledging he thought the Miami Heat would be a tougher first-round matchup.

James scores 32, Heat roll by Knicks 100-67 -- The AP reports: LeBron James dropped to the floor holding the back of his head, grimacing and then staggering a bit when he reached his feet. A few moments later, he was fine. And a few moments after that, the Miami Heat had complete control of Game 1 against the New York Knicks. James scored 32 points after shooting 10 for 14 from the field, and the Heat rode the strength of what became a 32-2 run to easily beat the Knicks 100-67 on Saturday, striking first in the series between clubs that waged classic annual battles from 1997 through 2000 and are meeting for the first time since. Dwyane Wade added 19 points in his first game back after dislocating his left index finger... Mario Chalmers finished with 11 points and nine assists for Miami, which turned 27 New York turnovers into a franchise playoff-record 38 points. The Knicks were called for 21 fouls in the first half, Miami enjoying a 28-5 advantage in free throws attempted in the first 24 minutes alone, and center Tyson Chandler sent James flying with what was called a flagrant foul as the Heat were blowing the game open. J.R. Smith scored 17 for the Knicks, who lost Iman Shumpert to a torn knee ligament and have dropped 11 straight playoff games dating back to 2001. Carmelo Anthony missed 12 of 15 shots and finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Baron Davis added 10 points for New York... Chandler - who helped Dallas win the 2011 title over Miami - set a back pick near midcourt with 1:34 left in the half, and James never saw it coming. The original call was a flagrant-2 against Chandler, which would have meant an automatic ejection. After review, it was downgraded to a flagrant-1, so Chandler could stick around for the rest of the debacle.

Magic shock Pacers 81-77 in Game 1 -- The AP reports: The Orlando Magic entered Indiana's building as huge underdogs and walked out talking trash. Jason Richardson and Jameer Nelson scored 17 points apiece to help sixth-seeded Orlando, playing without Dwight Howard, surprise the third-seeded Pacers 81-77 in Game 1 of the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series on Saturday night. ''Y'all look real stunned,'' Magic center Glen Davis, Howard's replacement, yelled at the crowd as he left the court. ''Y'all look real stunned.'' Howard, the Magic's leading scorer and the league's top rebounder, will miss the rest of the season after having back surgery. The Magic played defense Howard would have been proud of down the stretch, overcoming a seven-point deficit by holding the Pacers scoreless for the final 4:05. ''We're all we got,'' said Davis, who had 16 points and 13 rebounds... David West scored 19 points, Granger added 17 and Roy Hibbert had eight points, 13 rebounds and nine blocks for the Pacers... Orlando fell behind by 10 in the first quarter before rallying in the second. A 3-pointer by Richardson gave Orlando a 43-40 lead, and the Magic increased that lead to 49-42 on a bucket by Nelson. The Magic led 51-44 at halftime, taking the air out of a crowd that showed up with high expectations. The Pacers made numerous atypical mistakes; among them, shooting just 9 for 15 from the free throw line.

Durant's winner lifts Thunder past Mavs, 99-98 -- The AP reports: Kevin Durant was determined to not let the Oklahoma City Thunder lose another playoff game at home to Dallas. He scored 25 points and hit the winning jumper from the foul line with 1.5 seconds left to give the Thunder a 99-98 victory over the Mavericks on Saturday night in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series - a rematch of last year's Western Conference finals... Nowitzki scored 11 of his 25 points in the final 5 minutes, going on a personal 7-1 run that made it 92-85 with 3:23 to go... Westbrook led the Thunder with 28 points and Serge Ibaka had 22 points and five blocks. James Harden scored 19 points in his first game since sustaining a concussion when the Los Angeles Lakers' Metta World Peace hit him with an elbow last Sunday and earned a seven-game suspension. Dallas' Jason Terry added 20 points - but none in the fourth quarter - and Marion had 17.

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NBA DAILY FOR FRIDAY, APR. 27:
Recaps of NBA games played Thursday

Uzoh has triple-double as Raptors rout Nets -- The AP reports: On a night when the only thing worth winning was a few extra ping-pong balls for the NBA draft lottery, the Nets wrapped up their New Jersey years with barely a whimper. Ben Uzoh had 12 points, a career-high 12 assists and 11 rebounds for his first career triple-double, and the Toronto Raptors routed New Jersey 98-67 in Thursday night's season finale, a loss that slightly improves the Nets' chances in next month's draft lottery. The game marked the final time the Nets played as a New Jersey-based team; they'll move to a new home in Brooklyn next season. ''This is our farewell, for good,'' Nets coach Avery Johnson said. ''Now we embark on a new opportunity, and it starts when the clock strikes midnight tonight. Even though we lost this game this is a new era in Nets basketball, and that's what we're focusing on.''

Rookie Burks, dunk champ Evans lift Jazz 96-94 -- The AP reports: Jeremy Evans hasn't been spotted much since winning the NBA Slam Dunk title. On Thursday night, in a game that was more about pride, Evans put on another show as he fueled a 10-0 fourth-quarter run to lead the playoff-bound Utah Jazz to their fifth straight win, 96-94 over the Portland Trail Blazers. Evans scored a season-high 13 points, including a pair of high-flying jams as Utah retook the lead in the fourth. He added a career-high 10 rebounds and three blocks for his first career double-double. ''It was crazy,'' said Evans, who averages just 6.8 minutes a game but played 28 in the regular-season finale. ''I always want to come out and play with energy.

Nuggets beat Wolves to lock down 6th seed in West -- The AP reports: The Denver Nuggets earned themselves another postseason date with the Los Angeles Lakers. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen. The Minnesota Timberwolves are going home for another long summer and Brad Miller is going home for good. JaVale McGee scored 19 points to help the Nuggets lock down the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a 131-102 victory over the Timberwolves on Thursday night. Arron Afflalo scored 18 points and Danilo Gallinari had 17 points for the Nuggets, who won their fourth straight game and eighth in their last 10 as they surge into the postseason. Game 1 is Sunday at Staples Center.

Hawks clinch home court, beat Mavs 106-89 -- The AP reports: Having already exceeded expectations, the Atlanta Hawks weren't about to let home-court advantage slip away in the final game of the regular season. Led by Josh Smith, Atlanta raced to a 23-point lead in the opening quarter on the way to a 106-89 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night, ensuring the Hawks will open the playoffs at home. ''We showed a lot of determination,'' Joe Johnson said. ''You could see that hunger in our eyes even before the tip.'' The Hawks (40-26) wrapped up the fourth-best record in the East and host Boston on Sunday. The defending NBA champion Mavericks (36-30) begin the playoffs Saturday at Oklahoma City.

Gordon leads Pistons past 76ers in finale -- The AP reports: Ben Gordon came into the Detroit Pistons' season finale with one goal in mind: He wanted to help his teammates send Ben Wallace off in style. Gordon did that and more, hitting a franchise-record seven 3-pointers in the second quarter and finished with 26 points as the Pistons routed the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers 108-86 Thursday night. "We wanted to go out there and honor Body, just in case this is his last game," Gordon said. "We were extra inspired and we went out there and hit our shots. It's going to be tough without him, because he is the epitome of the consummate professional." The night was filled with tributes to Wallace, who announced his retirement earlier in the season.

Bulls rout Cavs to finish, earn overall No. 1 seed -- The AP reports: Despite playing a major portion of the season without the reigning MVP, the Chicago Bulls still escaped the regular season unscathed. John Lucas III scored a career-high 25 points, Joakim Noah had 13 points and 13 rebounds, and the Bulls clinched the top overall seed in the NBA playoffs with a 107-75 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night. With the No. 1 seed in the East already in hand and the playoffs beginning on Saturday, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau took no chances in the regular-season finale. He rested Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Kyle Korver. ''We've been through a lot this year, a lot of adversity, a lot of guys being injured. We fought hard throughout. It was a tough season. A lot of games in a compressed season, but we put ourselves in the best position possible,'' Noah said.

Big 3 watches as Heat lose to Wizards 104-70 -- The AP reports: LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh watched and didn't seem to care. The final game of the regular season was meaningless, and the Miami Heat played like it. Without their Big Three, the Heat suffered their worst defeat of 2011-2012 with a 104-70 loss to the Washington Wizards on Thursday night. With their first playoff game just two days away, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra rested the boldface names and started Shane Battier, Udonis Haslem, Eddy Curry, Mike Miller and Mario Chalmers. Only Chalmers usually starts, and Curry started for the first time in more than four years. The Heat are locked into the Eastern Conference's second playoff spot and open the postseason Saturday against the New York Knicks.

Grizzlies beat Magic to claim West's No. 4 seed -- The AP reports: The Memphis Grizzlies continue to set new franchise standards as they gear up for the playoffs. With Thursday night's 88-76 win over the short-handed Orlando Magic, Memphis grabbed the Western Conference's fourth seed and will have homecourt advantage in the opening round - the first time in team history the Grizzlies have enjoyed such a lofty postseason start. ''It's a big accomplishment from a historical perspective,'' Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said. ''I told the players it means nothing except that we get the first two games at home. ... We have to go play and we have to go out and win.'' Marc Gasol scored 22 points and Rudy Gay added 20 to lead the Grizzlies, whose best previous seed for the playoffs was fifth in 2006. The Grizzlies, who also matched a franchise-best 11 straight home wins, will open the postseason Sunday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, who dropped to the fifth seed with the Memphis victory.

Bobcats fall to Knicks, set NBA mark for futility -- The AP reports: The worst season in NBA history is over for the Charlotte Bobcats. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks are looking ahead to the playoffs. The Bobcats couldn't even beat a Knicks team resting most of its starters, finishing with the lowest winning percentage in league history after a 104-84 loss on Thursday night. J.R. Smith scored 22 points for the Knicks, who pulled away in the second half to clinch the Eastern Conference's No. 7 seed and a first-round playoff matchup against No. 2 Miami beginning Saturday. ''I couldn't be happier,'' said Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson, now 18-6 since taking over for Mike D'Antoni. ''It was a great regular season and now it's playoff basketball time. They will be ready.''

Pierce scores 12 as Celtics top Bucks 87-74 -- The AP reports: As much as he wanted to keep playing in his return from a sore lower back, Rajon Rondo knew it was much more prudent to rest on the bench in the second half. He had plenty of company as the Boston Celtics closed the regular season with an 87-74 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night. Rondo finished with 15 assists despite not playing the fourth quarter and Paul Pierce scored all 12 of his points in the first half, even though he missed most of it with a sprained toe. ''I wanted to play a little bit more, but it was smart for me to sit in the second half,'' said Rondo, who had missed three straight games. ''I just wanted to share the ball, get my teammates moving and get them in a rhythm. I also wanted to get myself in a rhythm. I didn't want to turn the ball over tonight and I think I did a pretty good job.''

Rockets end season with 84-77 win over Hornets -- The AP reports: Houston Rockets lottery pick Marcus Morris didn't have the type of rookie season he had hoped for. The former Kansas star was able to end his disappointing year on a high note after hitting the go-ahead 3-pointer in Houston's 84-77 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Thursday night in the season finale for both teams. Chase Budinger scored a season-high 27 points for the Rockets. ''I thought Marcus played better,'' Houston coach Kevin McHale said. ''I just think he's going to get better. It was just a rough situation with him not getting to play much. I like him and I think he's got a chance to help us.'' Morris, who spent time in the NBA's D-League, appeared in just 16 games and averaged 2.1 points for the Rockets this season.

Short-handed Spurs beat Warriors 107-101 -- The AP reports: For the second straight night, Patty Mills showed San Antonio he's capable of scoring in bunches. The timing is good, too, with the Spurs racing into the postseason as the top seed in the West - even though Mills will be back in a reserve role. On a night San Antonio played without its top three players and coach Gregg Popovich, Mills looked a lot like the player many have compared to Spurs teammate Tony Parker. While Parker joined Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili back in San Antonio to rest for the playoffs, Mills had career highs of 34 points and 12 assists to help the short-handed Spurs beat the Golden State Warriors 107-101 on Thursday night.

Kings beat resting Lakers 113-96 in season finale -- The AP reports: Kobe Bryant skipped a chance to win an NBA scoring title and thought nothing of it. The Lakers' star sat on the visitor's bench during Sacramento's meaningless 113-96 victory over Los Angeles in Thursday night's regular-season finale dressed in a sharp grey suit and tie. Even if he wanted to prevent Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant from leading the league in scoring for the third straight year - and Bryant swears he didn't - he knew he couldn't try. After all, there's a championship to chase. ''You have to send that message,'' Bryant said after the game. ''That's what this season is about. That's what we're about as a team. It's not about the individual goals. You have to put the team goals ahead of it.'' Bryant sat out along with four other Lakers' starters, conceding the scoring title to Durant. He needed 38 points to boost his average above Durant's 28 points per game.

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NBA DAILY FOR THURSDAY, APR. 26:
Recaps of NBA games played Wednesday

Wizards beat Cavs 96-85 for 5th straight win -- The AP reports: At the end of a wild season, the Washington Wizards found peace. It may have taken firing a coach and making a major trade to get them there, but the Wizards are winning the way they once did. John Wall scored 21 points and added 13 assists as the Wizards extended their longest winning streak since 2007 to five games with a 96-85 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. Wall had 12 points, six assists and four steals in the third quarter, when he accounted for 24 of Washington's 28 points and helped the Wizards open a 14-point lead. He added seven rebounds and seven steals for the Wizards, whose erratic play got coach Flip Saunders fired on Jan. 24... Kyrie Irving, expected to be named the NBA's rookie of the year next month, played only 10 minutes - all in the first quarter - of the Cavs' home finale. He scored just five points and may have gotten his biggest assist afterward when he and his teammates lined up near mid-court and handed over their game-worn jerseys to fans. D.J. Kennedy led Cleveland with 12 points in his NBA debut. Wizards rookie forward Jan Vesely had a season-high 12 rebounds and Kevin Seraphin scored 12.

Korver leads Bulls past Pacers 92-87 -- The AP reports: Even as the Chicago Bulls wrapped up another impressive victory, the question that has dogged them remained unanswered: Will Derrick Rose be ready for the playoffs after fighting through injuries all season? Rose, last season's league MVP, finished with 10 points on 3-for-11 shooting to help the Bulls defeat the Indiana Pacers 92-87 on Wednesday night. Rose has missed 26 games this season and he's just beginning to return to form after most recently dealing with injuries to his right ankle and foot. Though he couldn't finish like he normally does on his quick, furious drives to the basket, his unparalleled explosiveness was back... Kyle Korver scored 20 points, Carlos Boozer had 16 points and Joakim Noah had 14 points and 14 rebounds for Chicago. The Bulls ended the game needing just a win over Cleveland on Thursday or a loss by the San Antonio Spurs to clinch the top overall seed in the playoffs... Lance Stephenson had a career-high 22 points in his first career start for the Pacers, who rested Danny Granger and Leandro Barbosa because they were locked into the No. 3 spot in the Eastern Conference. Indiana will have homecourt advantage against Orlando in the first round.

Redick, Magic shoot way past Bobcats 102-95 -- The AP reports: With a roster that has seemingly gotten thinner by the game over the past month, no wins have come easy for the Orlando Magic down the stretch. It's why the Magic expected to get a strong effort from a woeful Charlotte Bobcats team that came in battling against all-time NBA futility. The Bobcats hung tough, but the Magic made just shots from beyond the arc to hold on for a 102-95 victory Wednesday night, Charlotte's 22nd consecutive loss. J.J. Redick had six 3-pointers and scored a career-high 31 points as the Magic snapped a three-game losing streak and more importantly secured the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Ryan Anderson added 24 points and 13 rebounds and Jason Richardson had 17 points and nine rebounds for the Magic, who lost forward Glen Davis to a sprained right ankle. He is the latest injury to strike the Magic's roster and drain an already shallow pool of Orlando big men following Dwight Howard's season-ending back surgery last week. Davis limped off the court, though initial X-rays taken on the ankle in the locker room were negative. His status is day-to-day.

Nuggets beat Thunder 106-101 to avoid No. 8 seed -- The AP reports: The Denver Nuggets grabbed control of where they'll start the NBA playoffs. Kevin Durant can't say the same about his hold on the league scoring title. Ty Lawson scored 25 points, Kenneth Faried added 13 points and 10 rebounds, and the Nuggets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 106-101 on Wednesday night to ensure they won't be the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Another win and Denver will be the sixth seed and face the Los Angeles Lakers to start the postseason, after starting the month clinging to the last playoff spot in the West... Durant scored 32 points to extend his tenuous lead in the NBA scoring race, leaving Kobe Bryant in need of 38 points in his season finale Thursday night against Sacramento to claim his third scoring title and prevent Durant from becoming the seventh player to win three in a row.

Turner scores 29, 76ers beat Bucks 90-85 -- The AP reports: Facing a potentially short and hectic transition from the regular season to the playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers managed to get a win while Doug Collins rested a few of his key players. Evan Turner scored a career-high 29 points and the 76ers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 90-85 in a playoff tune-up Wednesday night. Jodie Meeks added 27 points for the 76ers... Turner, who had 13 rebounds and six assists, said playing 40-plus minutes was something of a shock to his system... Brandon Jennings scored 19 points for the Bucks, who were playing short-handed in their home finale. Philadelphia eliminated Milwaukee from playoff contention with a victory over New Jersey on Monday.

Knicks hold off Clippers to stay tied for 7th seed -- The AP reports: The No. 7 seed is there if the New York Knicks feel like taking their talents to South Beach. It's unclear if they do. With Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire on the bench, the Knicks nearly blew all of an 18-point, fourth-quarter lead before holding on to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 99-93 on Wednesday night. JR Smith scored 21 points, including a rally-stopping jumper with 31 seconds left, as the Knicks moved within one victory of wrapping up seventh place in the Eastern Conference and a first-round matchup with Miami... Anthony scored 17 points for the Knicks, but he was on the bench the entire fourth quarter against a Clippers team that was fighting desperately for home-court advantage in the first round... Blake Griffin had 29 points and 10 rebounds, and Randy Foye scored 28 points for the Clippers, who played without Chris Paul and fell a half-game behind Memphis for fourth place in the West. The Clippers need the Grizzlies to lose at home to Orlando on Thursday to have the home-court advantage for their first-round series.

Spurs beat Phoenix in what might be Nash farewell -- The AP reports: Patty Mills scored 27 points and the depleted San Antonio Spurs beat Phoenix 110-106 on Wednesday night in a game overshadowed by the fact it could have been Steve Nash's last in a Suns uniform. The crowd stood and chanted ''We want Nash'' with about 5 minutes to go, leading coach Alvin Gentry to put the 38-year-old point guard in the game for a few plays before removing him to rousing cheers. Nash is a free agent after this season and plans to evaluate what options are open for him this summer... Nash had eight points and seven assists in just 18 minutes, all of his points coming in the third quarter. Completing his eighth season, the two-time league left the game with 3:08 to go in the third quarter and probably would have stayed on the sideline had the crowd not demanded his return... Tiago Splitter scored 26 points for San Antonio. Shannon Brown had 21 points and Telfair added 20 for the Suns.

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NBA DAILY FOR WEDNESDAY, APR. 25:
Recaps of NBA games played Tuesday

Johnson leads Hawks to 109-102 win over Clippers -- The AP reports: Joe Johnson was just trying to hit the rim. He wound up doing a lot better than that. Johnson scored 28 points, including a desperate 3-pointer in the final minute, and the Atlanta Hawks held on for a 109-102 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night, moving a step closer to wrapping up home-court in the first round of the playoffs. Johnson hit a pair of treys coming down the stretch, but the one that really stood out came with 38 seconds remaining and the shot clock running down. From 30 feet away along the sideline, he flung the ball toward the basket with two hands. It somehow banked in to give the Hawks a 103-96 lead. ''The craziest I ever hit in a game'' was how Johnson described it. ''I had no clue how much time was left or what even happened,'' he said. ''I just heaved it up there. I wanted to at least hit the rim. I accidentally made it.'' Blake Griffin scored a season-high 36 points, while Chris Paul added 34 in a back-and-forth game in which neither team led by double figures until Atlanta went on a 15-2 run at the end of the third quarter, sparked by Jeff Teague and Josh Smith.

Pavlovic rallies Celtics to 78-66 win over Heat -- The AP reports: With much more to lose in potential injuries than gain with another victory, the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat let their reserves decide the second-to-last game of the regular season. Rest and recovery were of much greater importance as both teams looked ahead to the postseason and patched together lineups that hardly resembled last year's second-round playoff series. The result was sloppy at times, but turned into a relatively even matchup before the seldom-used Celtics rallied for a 78-66 win over the starless Heat on Tuesday night. Sasha Pavlovic led Boston with a season-high 16 points, scoring 12 in the fourth quarter as the Celtics pulled away by shooting 50 percent (11 for 22) in the period and forcing Miami into eight of its season-high 25 turnovers.

Durant scores 32, reserves get Thunder past Kings -- The AP reports: When Oklahoma City Thunder All-Stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook head to the bench to rest in the fourth quarter, that's usually James Harden's time to take over. Daequan Cook proved to be the perfect substitute for the NBA's top-scoring bench player. Durant scored 32 points and Cook had all 19 of his points in the fourth quarter to rally the Thunder to a 118-110 win against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night in their first game since Harden took an elbow to the head. Harden wasn't able to pass league-mandated tests to allow him to return after the concussion he suffered when he was hit by the Los Angeles Lakers' Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest. Cook broke out of a slump to help ease that pain, at least for one game.

Hornets beat Warriors 83-81 on Wright's goaltend -- The AP reports: Chris Wright chased down Marco Belinelli in the waning seconds, reached up and swatted a layup - with the ball clearly on the way down - off the glass for an easy goaltending call. In an odd scene, a stream of confetti flew up in the lower deck, apparently set off by some of Golden State's home fans with the only thing left to cheer for: losses to improve position in the NBA draft lottery. Almost time to celebrate. Wright's goaltending on Belinelli's layup with 1.5 seconds remaining handed the New Orleans Hornets an 83-81 victory over the Warriors, preserving Golden State's chances to retain its protected high first-round draft pick with another loss in the season finale.

Jazz beat Suns 100-88, secure playoff spot -- The AP reports: Al Jefferson got two stiches over his left eye and returned to the game. Nothing was going to keep him from getting the Utah Jazz into the playoffs. When it mattered most, Jefferson came up huge, scoring eight straight points late in the fourth quarter to seal Utah's 100-88 victory over the Phoenix Suns, earn the Jazz the Western Conference's last playoff berth. ''It's good to make people eat their words,'' Jefferson said of doubters who thought Utah was too young and inexperienced to reach postseason. ''That's what we did. Now it's time to go and shock the world.'' Jefferson left the game with 7:30 remaining in the third quarter after suffering a gash over his left eye. ''You should have seen me back there rushing the doctors,'' Jefferson said.

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