Sacramento, Calif. — Kevin Martin scored 39 points for Houston in a triumphant return to Sacramento as the Rockets beat Houston 117-107.
The final home game of the season was not a complete loss for the Kings, who got to see rookie Tyreke Evans reach an exclusive milestone. By scoring 24 points, Evans assured himself of joining Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan and LeBron James as the only rookies in NBA history to average at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists a game.
Mavericks 117, Rockets 94
At Los Angeles, Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points in 22 minutes, Shawn Marion added 21 points in his return from an injury and Dallas kept a firm grip on the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs by beating Los Angeles.
Jason Kidd had 12 points and 12 assists for the Mavericks, who blew out the lifeless Clippers with a 37-point first quarter on the way to a 64-43 halftime lead.
Hawks 104, Bucks 96
At Milwaukee, Joe Johnson scored 31 points to help the Atlanta Hawks beat the Milwaukee Bucks 104-96 in a matchup between potential first-round playoff opponents Monday night. Marvin Williams added 18 points for the Hawks, who had six players score in double figures and continued to solidify their spot as the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
Heat 107, 76ers 105
At Philadelphia, Dwyane Wade scored 30 points and made the big assist to Udonis Haslem for the go-ahead basket with 1.3 seconds left, lifting Miami over Philadelphia.
Raptors 111, Pistons 97
At Auburn Hills, Mich., Andrea Bargnani had 33 points, Amir Johnson scored a career-high 26 and Toronto improved its playoff prospects by beating Detroit to snap a five-game losing streak. Toronto moved within a half-game of the Bulls for the final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference.
Magic 118, Pacers 98
At Indianapolis, Vince Carter scored 21 points to help Orlando beat Indiana for its fifth straight win. Jameer Nelson had 15 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, and Rashard Lewis scored 14 points for the Magic.
Bobcats 105, Nets 95
At East Rutherford, N.J., Stephen Jackson had 17 points and nine rebounds, and Charlotte got a big game from its bench to beat New Jersey in the Nets’ final game at the Izod Center in the Meadowlands.
With Miami’s win over Philadelphia earlier, the Bobcats were cemented into the No. 7 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Knicks 114, Wizards 103
At New York, Danilo Gallinari scored all of his 24 points in the second half, David Lee had 26 and New York rallied past Washington in its final home game of the season.
Sergio Rodriguez added all of his 12 points in the fourth quarter, sparking the key spurt midway through the period, as the Knicks snapped a three-game losing streak.
Spurs 133, Timberwolves 111
At San Antonio, Keith Bogans scored 17 points and San Antonio kept control of its playoff future with a win over Minnesota. The Spurs can clinch at least the No. 7 seed with a win in their regular-season finale Wednesday against Dallas — a game that could also be a playoff preview.
Nuggets 123, Grizzlies 101
At Denver, J.R. Smith scored 26 points and Denver broke out of its offensive funk with a victory over Memphis. Now, the Nuggets are off to Phoenix for a crucial game in their season finale tonight. A win would secure their second straight Northwest Division title, at least the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoff bracket and home-court advantage in the first round.
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