CLEVELAND (AP) -Antoine Walker and Shaquille O’Neal scored 20 points apiece and the Miami Heat clinched a spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs Thursday night, beating Cleveland 94-90 in overtime to drop the Cavaliers three places in the postseason seedings.
With Dwyane Wade watching from the bench in street clothes but nearing a return from his dislocated shoulder, the first-place Heat, who not long ago teetered on missing the playoffs because of injuries, moved 1 1/2 games ahead of Washington in the Southeast Division.
Walker made six 3-pointers and Alonzo Mourning had a big block in the final minute of overtime. Jason Williams stole a pass by LeBron James with 27 seconds left and made three free throws in the last 24 for Miami.
James, who didn’t hide his frustration several times, scored 35 with nine rebounds and five assists for the Cavaliers, who fell from second place to fifth in the Eastern Conference.
Spurs 92, Suns 85
SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Tony Parker scored a season-high 35 points to lead San Antonio Spurs past the Phoenix Suns.
Tim Duncan had 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Michael Finley added 19 points and 10 boards in the matchup between the Western Conference’s second- and third-place teams.
Steve Nash led the Suns with 20 points, while Phoenix’s four other starters all scored below their averages. Phoenix had its lowest field-goal percentage of the season – 38.6 percent – and beat its season-low points total by just two points.
The Spurs are two games behind Phoenix for the No. 2 seed in the West.
NBA Capsules
By Admin