Associated Press
NEW YORK ó Joe Johnson kept Atlanta in control of the race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, scoring 34 points in a victory over the Knicks.
Trying to end the NBA’s longest postseason drought, the Hawks remained two games ahead of the Indiana Pacers with three to play for each team. Atlanta trimmed its magic number to two for its first playoff berth since 1999.
Rockets 101, Suns 90
HOUSTON ó Tracy McGrady had 22 points, six rebounds and seven assists, and Luis Scola added 19 points as the Rockets moved 11/2 games ahead of Phoenix and kept pace with San Antonio in the Western Conference playoff race.
Reserve guard and Salisbury native Bobby Jackson had 13 points as the Rockets won easily, despite playing without defensive specialist Shane Battier, who sat out with a bruised left foot and ankle.
Celtics 102, Bucks 86
BOSTON ó Rajon Rondo had 16 points and 10 assists, then joined the rest of the Boston starters on the bench for the fourth quarter as the Celtics coasted to a victory over Milwaukee.
None of the starters played more than 25 minutes on Friday, and all sat out the entire fourth quarter again. Garnett scored 12 points with eight assists.
Timberwolves 102, Magic 101
ORLANDO, Fla. ó Ryan Gomes made a pair of free throws with 2.9 seconds remaining to give Minnesota a victory.
Randy Foye had a game-high 25 points and Rashad McCants added 19 to lead the Timberwolves, who snapped a six-game losing streak.
Grizziles 96, Heat 91
MIAMI ó Hakim Warrick and Kyle Lowry each scored 17 points, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat Miami to ensure that the Heat will finish with the league’s worst record.
With the NBA’s worst record (14-65), the Heat will have the best chance to win the draft lottery held on May 20.
Raptors 113, Nets 85
TORONTO ó Carlos Delfino scored 24 points, Chris Bosh had 21 and the Toronto Raptors eliminated the New Jersey Nets from playoff contention with a 113-85 victory Friday night.
Bulls 100, Cavaliers 95
CHICAGO ó LeBron James tied a Cavaliers record by scoring 24 of his 34 points in the first quarter, but Luol Deng finished with 21 to lead the Bulls.
Pistons 102, Wizards 74
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. ó Jason Maxiell scored a career-high 28 points, Chauncey Billups added 13 and Detroit rebounded from back-to-back losses with a rout of Washington.
Pacers 85, 76ers 76
PHILADELPHIA ó Danny Granger had 30 points and 12 rebounds and Indiana won its fourth straight.
Spurs 95, SuperSonics 74
SAN ANTONIO ó Tony Parker scored 20 points and the Spurs easily handled Seattle.