Associated Press
The NBA roundup …
CHARLOTTE ó Gilbert Arenas scored 25 points, and the Orlando Magic overcame Quentin Richardson’s ejection and Dwight Howard’s 18th technical foul to beat Charlotte 111-102 in overtime on Wednesday night and eliminate the Bobcats from playoff contention.
Jameer Nelson atoned for two turnovers in the closing seconds of regulation by hitting a jumper and banking in a 3-pointer in Orlando’s 12-2 run to open the extra period. Brandon Bass added 19 points for the Magic, who secured their fourth consecutive 50-win season.
A year after sweeping the Bobcats in the first round of the playoffs, Orlando ended Charlotte’s postseason hopes and allowed Indiana to clinch the final Eastern Conference spot.
Gerald Henderson scored a career-high 32 points for the Bobcats and was the receiving end of Richardson’s two-handed shove to the face early in the fourth quarter that could earn Richardson a suspension.
Pacers 136, Wizards 112
INDIANAPOLIS ó Danny Granger scored 25 points, and Indiana clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2006.
As the Pacers’ game ended, the Orlando-Charlotte game was in overtime, and the Conseco Fieldhouse staff put the game on the Jumbotron. Many fans stayed to cheer.
Suns 108, Timberwolves 98
MINNEAPOLIS ó Marcin Gortat scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds and Phoenix dropped Minnesota into last place in the NBA.
Hakim Warrick and Grant Hill each scored 17 points for the Suns, who had lost six of seven and four straight on the road.
Bucks 90, Heat 85
MIAMI ó John Salmons scored 17 points, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute added 14 points and 12 rebounds, and even while being officially eliminated from postseason contention the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Miami Heat 90-85.
Thunder 112, Clippers 108
OKLAHOMA CITY ó Kevin Durant scored 29 points, Russell Westbrook added 26 and Oklahoma City clinched the Northwest Division title.
Hornets 101, Rockets 93
NEW ORLEANS ó Chris Paul had 28 points and 10 assists, and New Orleans clinched a playoff spot.
Nuggets 104, Mavericks 96
DALLAS ó J.R. Smith broke a tie in the final minutes with a layup and immediately followed with a jumper, lifting Denver past short-handed Dallas.
Knicks 97, 76ers 92
PHILADELPHIA ó Carmelo Anthony had 31 points and 11 rebounds, Amare Stoudemire scored 18 points and New York moved into sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Spurs 124, Kings 92
SAN ANTONIO ó Manu Ginobili scored 25 points and the San Antonio Spurs moved to the brink of the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs .
Cavaliers 104, Raptors 96
TORONTO ó J.J. Hickson scored 28 points to lead Cleveland past Toronto.
Pistons 116, Nets 109
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. ó Richard Hamilton scored 25 points and Rodney Stuckey added 22 to lead Detroit.