NBA Wrap: Magic Clinch

The Orlando Magic clinched an NBA playoff spot by beating the Chicago Bulls 107-79 with a big boost from the bench on Wednesday.

Securing a playoff berth has been a formality for more than a month for the Magic. And they'll almost surely lock up a second consecutive Southeast Division title in the next few weeks, having started the day with a 10½ game lead over Atlanta.

Tony Battie had 18 points and eight rebounds, J.J. Redick had 13 points, and Marcin Gortat added 13 points and 15 rebounds in reserve for the Magic, who have won five of their last six games.

John Salmons had 18 points and eight rebounds, and Brad Miller added 11 points for Chicago, which shot a mere 31.4 percent from the floor and had 18 turnovers.



Heat 107, Celtics 99
At Miami, Dwyane Wade scored 32 points, including the game-sealing 3-pointer with 34 seconds left, as Miami held on to beat Boston.

Jamario Moon scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Miami, which stayed 1½ games behind Atlanta for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Jermaine O'Neal scored 12 for the Heat.

Ray Allen hit his first six shots and finished with 27 for Boston, which fell two games behind Cleveland for the East's best record. Leon Powe had 23 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics, who have lost two straight.



Hawks 100, Jazz 93
At Atlanta, Joe Johnson scored 31 points and Josh Smith had 22 points and 12 rebounds to help Atlanta end Utah's 12-game winning streak.

Flip Murray scored 11 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter for the Hawks, who have won three straight. Smith ended the scoring with a pair of free throws with 24 seconds remaining.

Deron Williams led the Jazz with 20 points and nine assists.



Hornets 109, Wizards 98
At Washington, Chris Paul compiled his NBA-leading sixth triple-double with 30 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, steering New Orleans over Washington.

Eastern Conference-worst Washington began the second half with a one-point lead, before Paul compiled 14 points, six assists and four rebounds in the third quarter alone to help the Hornets outscore the Wizards 40-22 in the period.

Antawn Jamison led Washington with 25 points and 10 rebounds.



Knicks 116, Pistons 111, OT
At Auburn Hills, Michigan, reserve Nate Robinson scored 30 points to help New York rally past Detroit.

Antonio McDyess had 21 points and a career-high 22 rebounds — Detroit's first 20-20 game in over 11 years — but it wasn't enough to overcome the absence of Rasheed Wallace (calf) and Allen Iverson (back).

David Lee had 16 points and 18 rebounds for the Knicks, who trailed by 10 points after three quarters before finishing strong for their second victory in two nights during a crucial road trip for their playoff hopes.


76ers 115, Raptors 106
At Philadelphia, Thaddeus Young scored a career-high 29 points, Samuel Dalembert snapped out of his recent slump, and Philadelphia handed Toronto its sixth straight loss.

Dalembert, who entered the night with only three blocks over the last four games, recorded his 11th double-double of the season with a season-high 19 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots.

Chris Bosh was limited to 17 points for Toronto after consecutive 30-point outings.



Timberwolves 104, Grizzlies 79
At Minneapolis, rookie Kevin Love had 19 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high four assists against the team that traded away his draft rights, as Minnesota snapped a 10-game losing streak.

Mike Miller had 18 points and 11 rebounds and Ryan Gomes scored 25 for the Wolves, who also won at home for the first time since Jan. 25, a span of 11 games.

O.J. Mayo had 18 quiet points and Mike Conley Jr. had 17 for lethargic Memphis, which trailed by 21 points after one quarter, was outrebounded 48-28 and lost for the 11th time in 12 games.

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