Win over Pacers clinches home-court advantage; Suns 3rd team in history with 45 wins, no playoff berth
The Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James is fouled by the Indiana Pacers' Brandon Rush on Monday in Indianapolis. James scored 37 points and the win assures the Cavs of home-court games throughout the playoffs.
INDIANAPOLIS – LeBron James expects to rest during Cleveland’s regular-season finale, a well-earned reward for leading the Cavaliers to home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
James scored 37 points as the Cleveland beat the Indiana Pacers 117-109 on Monday night to clinch the league’s best record.
“It’s one step, however, it’s a big step,” James said. “When you consider all the great teams, all the great players, all the great coaches and all the great systems that are in the NBA, for us to finish with the best record is a tremendous feat. And that is something the franchise should be proud of.”
With his team having clinched the top record with a game to spare, coach Mike Brown will likely make James and other key players spectators against Philadelphia – even though it could cost the Cavs a shot at more NBA history.
A win by the Cavaliers on Wednesday would tie them for the NBA record for best home mark, 40-1, set by the Boston Celtics in 1985-86.
Suns top Memphis
PHOENIX – Shaquille O’Neal hit four late field goals and rookie Robin Lopez tied his career high with 14 points, helping the Suns to their eighth consecutive home victory, 119-110 over Memphis.
In winning their 45th game of the season, the Suns became just the third team in NBA history to reach that total and not earn a playoff berth.
O’Neal led a well-balanced attack with 19 points. Hakim Warrick, who hit his first 10 field goal attempts, tying a franchise record for one game, and Rudy Gay led Memphis with 26 points each.
Nuggets 118, Kings 98: At Denver, J.R. Smith’s career-high 45 points and franchise-best 11 three-pointers helped the Denver Nuggets clinch the Northwest Division title and home-court edge in a playoff series for the first time in 21 years.
Raptors 97, Wizards 96: At Washington, Chris Bosh made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 9.9 seconds left for the Raptors. Trailing 93-80 with 6:30 remaining, Toronto outscored Washington 17-3 to pull off the win.
Nets 91, Bobcats 87: At East Rutherford, N.J., Jarvis Hayes hit two late 3-pointers in a 37-second span and the Nets rallied from a 12-point, fourth-quarter deficit.
Bulls 91, Pistons 88: At Auburn Hills, Mich., Ben Gordon made a tiebreaking layup with 15 seconds left, and the Bulls won.
Bucks 98, Magic 80: At Milwaukee, ex-Arizona Wildcat Richard Jefferson scored 24 points as the Bucks beat an Orlando team missing Dwight Howard and two other starters.
Rockets 86, Hornets 66: At Houston, Yao Ming scored 22 points, Luis Scola grabbed 15 rebounds and the Rockets moved within one win of the Southwest Division title.
Mavericks 96, Timberwolves 94: At Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki keyed a late fourth-quarter rally with great plays on both ends of the court, then ex-UA Wildcat Jason Terry hit an 18-foot jumper from the right side with 0.2 second left.
Jazz 106, Clippers 85: At Salt Lake City, Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds, and the Jazz snapped a three-game losing streak to keep alive their slim hopes of climbing out of the No. 8 seed in the West.
Trail Blazers 113, Thunder 83: At Portland, Ore., Travis Outlaw had 21 points as a last-minute starter and the Trail Blazers built a 35-point lead before defeating the Thunder.
Spurs 101, Warriors 72: At Oakland, Calif., Tony Parker scored 17 points and Tim Duncan added 16 points and 13 rebounds before both stars sat out the fourth quarter, and the Spurs kept pace with Houston atop the Southwest.