Monday’s NBA Capsules

 

UNDATED: points apiece.
Rockets 120, Suns 117
HOUSTON (AP) – Tracy McGrady had 39 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists as the Houston Rockets secured home-court advantage in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. Yao Ming added 34 points and nine rebounds for the Rockets, who won their fifth straight game and snapped a six-game losing streak to Phoenix.
The Rockets secured their best record since 1997 and will open their first-round playoff series against Utah at home next weekend thanks to a better record. But the Jazz, winners of the Northwest Division, will be the No. 4 seed and Houston the fifth seed.
Amare Stoudemire scored 30 points and Shawn Marion added 27 for the Suns, who used their starters most of the game even though they had already clinched the No. 2 seed in the West. Steve Nash added 15 points and 15 assists.
Jazz 130, Trail Blazers 93
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Carlos Boozer scored 26 points and the Jazz tied a season high for points. Utah won its 50th game of the season, but will still open the playoffs on the road against Houston.
Gordan Giricek scored 21 points after missing the last three games with a sore right side and was one of seven Utah players to score in double figures.
Travis Outlaw had 26 points to lead Portland.
Nuggets 122, Timberwolves 107
DENVER (AP) – Allen Iverson scored 25 points, then sat back and watched the reserves close out the Nuggets’ ninth win in 10 games.
Linas Kleiza scored 23 points, delighting a spirited section of about 50 Lithuanians decked out in green and gold to cheer on their countryman, who Nuggets coach George Karl credited with making the most strides this season.
Carmelo Anthony added 21 in helping the Nuggets pull away with a 19-4 run in the third quarter.
Randy Foye and Justin Reed led the Timberwolves with 19 points each.
Both teams were without their big man. Kevin Garnett stayed back in Minneapolis with a sore right thigh, and Marcus Camby, the league’s leading shot blocker and favorite for Defensive Player of the Year, sat out with a sore right knee.
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