SUNS 115, LAKERS 107 at Los Angeles: Two free throws by Kurt Thomas, a 3-pointer by Raja Bell and a layup by Steve Nash gave Phoenix a 94-83 lead with 4:15 remaining, and Los Angeles lost for the fifth time in seven games and fell into seventh place in the West – a half-game behind the Nuggets. Los Angeles plays host Denver tonight.
Noteworthy: Phoenix, which has won five of six, moved 2 1/2 games ahead of San Antonio for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
RAPTORS 103, BULLS 89 at Toronto: Toronto outscored Chicago 36-22 in the last 13:56 and has won eight of 10 to move within 1 1/2 games of Chicago and Cleveland for the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.
Noteworthy: Andres Nocioni returned to Chicago’s lineup after missing 28 games with plantar fasciitis.
BOBCATS 111, HEAT 103, OT at Miami: Gerald Wallace scored 30 points, Walter Herrmann hit two big 3-pointers in the final minute and Charlotte spoiled Dwyane Wade’s first game back after missing 6 1/2 weeks with a dislocated left shoulder.
Noteworthy: Miami was 26-of-44 from the free-throw line and that, combined with a season-high 26 turnovers, dealt the Heat’s chances of earning home-court advantage for the first playoff round a serious blow.
ROCKETS 112, KINGS 106 at Sacramento, Calif.: Tracy McGrady had 40 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in his return from a back injury and Houston snapped a three-game losing streak.
Noteworthy: Houston swept its three-game season series with the Kings, including two victories at Arco Arena, despite failing to make a field goal in the final 4:42.
PISTONS 87, CAVALIERS 82 at Auburn Hills, Mich.: LeBron James missed two free throws with 37.4 seconds left, trailing by four. Then the Cavaliers allowed about 20 seconds to run off the clock before fouling, and Detroit won for the fourth time in five games.
Noteworthy: James scored a season-high 41 points a month ago at Detroit, lifting the Cavs to an overtime win.
76ERS 109, HAWKS 104, OT at Philadelphia: Philadelphia rallied from a 17-point third-quarter deficit and has won eight of the past 10 meetings between the teams.
Noteworthy: Willie Green’s 3-pointer on the 76ers’ first possession of overtime keyed a 7-0 run that gave the 76ers the lead for good.
