NBA scores,updates,news and rumors . . .

[Zurca]

NBA Power Rankings: Heat looking for traction from Y! Sports

1. San Antonio Spurs (53-16; last week's ranking: 1): When asked if he'd honor his contract through next season, Tim Duncan said he's taking it "game by game."

2. Los Angeles Clippers (49-21; last week's ranking: 2): The Clippers are hopeful J.J. Redick, who is averaging 15.7 points and has been out since Jan. 3 with a back injury, could return soon.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder (51-18; last week's ranking: 4): After an injury scare, Russell Westbrook is expected to play against Denver on Monday or Dallas on Tuesday.

4. Houston Rockets (47-22; last week's ranking: 5): After losing three straight games with All-Star center Dwight Howard, Houston has won three straight while he rested a sore left ankle.

5. Indiana Pacers (51-19; last week's ranking: 3): The East's top-seeded Pacers play three other elite teams in their conference this week in Chicago, Miami and Washington.

6. Golden State Warriors (44-27; last week's ranking: 6): The Warriors have a five-day break before playing Memphis on Friday. Andre Iguodala could still be out with a knee injury.

7. Miami Heat (47-21; last week's ranking: 7): The Heat have lost six of their last 10 games. Miami plays at Indiana on Wednesday in the last regular-season meeting of the East powers.

8. Memphis Grizzlies (41-28; last week's ranking: 10): Memphis has won 24 of 33 games since Marc Gasol returned from injury on Jan. 14 and is now in the seventh spot in the West.

9. Portland Trail Blazers (45-25; last week's ranking: 8 ): All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge is listed as out for Monday's game at Miami with a low back contusion. He has missed five straight games.

10. Dallas Mavericks (42-29; last week's ranking: 9): The Mavs, who play the Thunder and the Clippers next, are now in the eighth spot in the West and just a half-game ahead of Phoenix.

11. Phoenix Suns (41-29; last week's ranking: 11): Forward P.J. Tucker's defense has been overlooked in the success of the Suns, who have won five of their past six games.

12. Toronto Raptors (39-30; last week's ranking: 12): Toronto is slightly ahead in a fight with Chicago and surging Brooklyn for the East's third seed.

13. Chicago Bulls (39-31; last week's ranking: 13): Chicago has lost two of three games to Indiana and meets the Pacers for the final time in the regular season on Monday. This is a possible playoff matchup.

14. Brooklyn Nets (37-31; last week's ranking: 16): With Kevin Garnett still sidelined, the Nets have won four straight games. Brooklyn is 11-2 in March and 27-10 in 2014.

15. Washington Wizards (36-34; last week's ranking: 14): Nene has missed the past 15 games with a sprained right MCL, but a source said he is expected back after the first week of April.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves (34-34; last week's ranking: 15): Minnesota is now 6½ games out of the West's eighth and final playoff spot. Kevin Love has never played in the postseason.

17. Charlotte Bobcats (34-36; last week's ranking: 17): Charlotte has won seven of its past 10 games. The East's sixth-seeded Wizards hold only a two-game lead over the Bobcats.

18. Atlanta Hawks (31-37; last week's ranking: 18): The East's eighth-seeded Hawks have dropped two straight games, but still own a three-game lead over the ninth-place Knicks.

19. New Orleans Pelicans (29-40; last week's ranking: 19): Anthony Davis, a Most Improved Player candidate, has nine 30-point-plus games and 26 games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds this season.

20. New York Knicks (29-41; last week's ranking: 20): The Knicks will face the Lakers on Tuesday in Los Angeles for the first time since Phil Jackson became New York's president.

21. Denver Nuggets (32-38; last week's ranking: 21): J.J. Hickson recently joined Danilo Gallinari, JaVale McGee and Nate Robinson as Nuggets who suffered season-ending injuries.

22. Sacramento Kings (25-45; last week's ranking: 22): With 12 games left, the Kings are five wins shy of reaching at least 30 wins for the first time since the 2007-08 season.

23. Utah Jazz (23-47; last week's ranking: 24): The lottery-bound Jazz snapped a six-game losing streak with a win over Orlando on Saturday – just their second victory in 13 games.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers (27-44; last week's ranking: 25): The Cavaliers have dropped four of their past five and are likely to miss the playoffs for the fourth straight year since LeBron James left.

25. Detroit Pistons (25-44; last week's ranking: 26): The Pistons have dropped five straight games and eight of their past 10. Detroit next plays at Utah, where it has lost 10 straight games.

26. Los Angeles Lakers (23-46; last week's ranking: 23): The Lakers ended a four-game losing streak with their victory over the Magic.

27. Boston Celtics (23-47; last week's ranking: 27): Rookie forward Kelly Olynk has been strong in March, averaging 10.6 points while shooting 42.1 percent from 3-point range.

28. Orlando Magic (19-52; last week's ranking: 28): The Magic have lost nine straight games and 23 of their past 24. Orlando lost a season-high 10 straight from Dec. 31-Jan. 17.

29. Milwaukee Bucks (13-57; last week's ranking: 30): The Bucks believe rookie Giannis Antetokounmpo has been too offensive-minded since his return from the Rising Stars Challenge, sources said.

30. Philadelphia 76ers (15-55, last week's ranking: 29): The Sixers are two losses shy of tying the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers' NBA record of 26 straight defeats.

[tonistork]

Bulls shake rough first half to rally past division rival Pacers
Associated Press

CHICAGO -- Bulls center Joakim Noah believes the Eastern Conference is more than a two-team race.

His message: Don't dismiss Chicago just yet.

Following an 89-77 victory over first-place Indiana on Monday night, Noah said the Bulls think they are capable of competing with anyone in the East, be it the Pacers or defending champion Miami Heat.

"We feel like we can go at anybody, we can beat anybody, when we're hungry. Stay humble and keep grinding," Noah said. "I said right after the game, 'I'm excited about having an opportunity to play these guys again.' "

The season series with the Pacers is over -- the teams split four games and the home team won each one -- so another meeting would have to come in the playoffs.

"It was real physical; my body is sore right now," Bulls forward Taj Gibson said. "That's the kind of games we play against our rivals, playoff basketball. That's going to happen."

Gibson, bouncing back from a subpar performance and postgame rant when the teams played last Friday in Indiana, scored 23 points to lead five Bulls in double figures.

Kirk Hinrich had 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting, Mike Dunleavy scored 13, Jimmy Butler 12 and Noah added 10 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Gibson, who was 9 for 15 from the field, also had eight rebounds in 32 minutes off the bench.

The Bulls (40-31) pulled within 2 percentage points of Toronto (39-30) for third place in the Eastern Conference, a rise that wasn't considered realistic when star guard Derrick Rose was injured and Luol Deng was traded.

The win also prevented Indiana from clinching the Central Division title on Chicago's home court. The Pacers are looking to win consecutive division crowns for the second time since joining the NBA (1998-99 and 1999-2000).

The Pacers, who were led by Paul George's 21 points, have dropped three straight and six of eight on the road. They've lost four of five at the United Center, including both visits this season.

"Give them credit, as their defense is elite," George said. "You need quick strikes and fast breaks to beat it."

Game notes

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau was asked if there was a chance Rose could return for the playoffs. "No," he said. "He's doing a little bit more, he's coming along (and) doing some things in practice. But he's out for the year." ... Pacers coach Frank Vogel when asked if Hibbert was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year: "Hands down. He's the best rim-protector on the best defense in the league. I think that's who the award should go to. I'll be very disappointed if he doesn't get the award this year." Hibbert's main competition could be Noah, who received the endorsement of Rockets coach Kevin McHale a couple of weeks ago.

[kingjames24szupladoh]

March 25, Final Scores/Leaders:

Rockets – 100 Bobcats – 89
Harden: 31 Pts. Harden: 5 Asts. Howard: 10 Rebs./Walker: 22 Pts. McRoberts: 4 Asts. Jefferson: 11 Rebs.

Suns – 102 Hawks – 95
Bledsoe: 20 Pts. Dragic: 6 Asts. Tucker: 11 Rebs./Carroll: 19 Pts. Mack: 6 Asts. Antic: 8 Rebs.

Blazers – 91 Heat – 93
Lillard: 19 Pts. Lillard: 6 Asts. Batum: 10 Rebs./James: 32 Pts. James: 5 Asts. Andersen: 11 Rebs.

Pacers – 77 Bulls – 89
George: 21 Pts. West: 4 Asts. Stephenson: 10 Rebs./Gibson: 23 Pts. Noah: 8 Asts. Boozer: 10 Rebs.

Timberwolves – 92 Grizzlies – 109
Love: 16 Pts. Shved: 5 Asts. Dieng: 17 Rebs./Conley: 23 Pts. Conley: 6 Asts. Gasol: 12 Rebs.

Nets – 104 Pelicans – 109
Pierce: 24 Pts. Williams: 5 Asts Plumlee: 11 Rebs./Evans: 33 Pts. Evans: 7 Asts. Davis: 14 Rebs.

Nuggets – 96 Thunder – 117
Lawson: 25 Pts. Lawson: 7 Asts. Faried: 11 Rebs./Durant: 27 Pts. Jackson: 11 Asts. Ibaka: 7 Rebs.

Sixers – 91 Spurs – 113
Young: 17 Pts. Sims: 7 Asts. Mullens: 8 Rebs./Daye: 22 Pts. Belinelli: 8 Asts. Joseph: 7 Rebs.

Pistons – 114 Jazz – 94
Drummond: 19 Pts. Bynum: 9 Asts. Drummond: 14 Rebs./Hayward: 32 Pts. Hayward: 6 Asts. Favors: 9 Rebs.

Bucks – 98 Clippers – 106
Sessions: 28 Pts. Pachulia: 8 Asts. Adrien: 7 Rebs./Griffin: 27 Pts. Paul: 7 Asts. Griffin: 14 Rebs.






STANDINGS:
West:
1. SPURS 54-16*
2. THUNDER 52-18
3. CLIPPERS 50-21
4. Rockets 48-22
5. Blazers 45-26
6. Warriors 44-27
7. Grizzlies 42-28
8. Suns 42-29
9. Mavericks 42-29
10. Timberwolves 34-35
11. Nuggets 32-39
12. Pelicans⁰ 30-40
13. Kings⁰ 25-45
14. Lakers⁰ 23-46
15. Jazz⁰ 23-48

East:
1. PACERS* 51-20
2. HEAT* 48-21
3. RAPTORS 39-30
4. Bulls 40-31
5. Nets 37-32
6. Wizards 36-34
7. Bobcats 34-37
8. Hawks 31-38
9. Knicks 29-41
10. Cavaliers 27-44
11. Pistons 26-44
12. Celtics 23-47
13. Magic⁰ 19-52
14. Sixers⁰ 15-56
15. Bucks⁰ 13-58

* - Clinched Playoff Berth
⁰ - Eliminated from Playoffs contention
Division leaders are capitalized and are guaranteed at least the 4th seed




Wednesday, March 26 Schedule: 4 games

Toronto at Cleveland - 7 pm ET, 4 pm PT
Portland at Orlando - 7 pm ET, 4 pm PT
Oklahoma City at Dallas - 8 pm ET, 5 pm PT on TNT
New York at L.A. Lakers - 10:30 pm ET, 7:30 pm PT on TNT

[kingjames24szupladoh]

REMAINING NBA SCHEDULE:
*All games are in Eastern Time

Wednesday, March 26
Brooklyn at Charlotte - 7 pm
Phoenix at Washington - 7 pm
Toronto at Boston - 7:30 pm
Cleveland at Detroit - 7:30 pm
Atlanta at Minnesota - 8 pm
L.A. Clippers at New Orleans - 8 pm
Miami at Indiana - 8 pm - ESPN
Denver at San Antonio - 8:30 pm
New York at Sacramento - 10 pm
Memphis at Utah - 10:30 pm - ESPN

Thursday, March 27
Portland at Atlanta - 7:30 pm
Philadelphia at Houston - 8 pm
L.A. Lakers at Milwaukee - 8 pm
L.A. Clippers at Dallas - 8:30 pm

Friday, March 28
Charlotte at Orlando - 7 pm
Boston at Toronto - 7 pm
Indiana at Washington - 7 pm
Cleveland at Brooklyn - 7:30 pm
Miami at Detroit - 7:30 pm
Portland at Chicago - 8 pm
L.A. Lakers at Minnesota - 8 pm
Utah at New Orleans - 8 pm
Sacramento at Oklahoma City - 8 pm
San Antonio at Denver - 9 pm
New York at Phoenix - 10 pm
Memphis at Golden State - 10:30 pm

Saturday, March 29
Detroit at Philadelphia - 7:30 pm
L.A. Clippers at Houston - 8 pm - NBATV
Atlanta at Washington - 8 pm
Sacramento at Dallas - 8:30 pm
Miami at Milwaukee - 8:30 pm
New Orleans at San Antonio - 8:30 pm

Sunday, March 30
Utah at Oklahoma City - 3 pm
Indiana at Cleveland - 3 pm
Minnesota at Brooklyn - 6 pm
Toronto at Orlando - 6 pm
Chicago at Boston - 7 pm
New York at Golden State - 9 pm
Memphis at Portland - 9 pm - NBATV
Phoenix at L.A. Lakers - 9:30 pm

Monday, March 31
Washington at Charlotte - 7 pm
San Antonio at Indiana - 7 pm - NBATV
Philadelphia at Atlanta - 7:30 pm
Milwaukee at Detroit - 7:30 pm
Toronto at Miami - 7:30 pm
Boston at Chicago - 8 pm
L.A. Clippers at Minnesota - 8 pm
Sacramento at New Orleans - 8 pm
Memphis at Denver - 9 pm
New York at Utah - 9 pm

Tuesday, April 1
Houston at Brooklyn - 8 pm - TNT
Golden State at Dallas - 8:30 pm
Portland at L.A. Lakers - 10:30 pm - TNT

Wednesday, April 2
Detroit at Indiana - 7 pm
Brooklyn at New York - 7 pm - ESPN
Cleveland at Orlando - 7 pm
Charlotte at Philadelphia - 7 pm
Houston at Toronto - 7 pm
Boston at Washington - 7 pm
Chicago at Atlanta - 7:30 pm
Milwaukee at Miami - 7:30 pm
Memphis at Minnesota - 8 pm
Golden State at San Antonio - 8:30 pm
New Orleans at Denver - 9 pm
L.A. Clippers at Phoenix - 10 pm
L.A. Lakers at Sacramento - 10 pm

Thursday, April 3
San Antonio at Oklahoma City - 8 pm - TNT
Dallas at L.A. Clippers - 10:30 pm - TNT

Friday, April 4
Denver at Memphis - 7 pm - ESPN
Orlando at Charlotte - 7 pm
Indiana at Toronto - 7 pm
Cleveland at Atlanta - 7:30 pm
Philadelphia at Boston - 7:30 pm
Detroit at Brooklyn - 7:30 pm
Minnesota at Miami - 7:30 pm
Washington at New York - 7:30 pm
Milwaukee at Chicago - 8 pm
New Orleans at Utah - 9 pm
Oklahoma City at Houston - 9:30 pm - ESPN
Phoenix at Portland - 10 pm
Sacramento at Golden State - 10:30 pm
Dallas at L.A. Lakers - 10:30 pm

Saturday, April 5
Minnesota at Orlando - 7 pm
Chicago at Washington - 7 pm
Charlotte at Cleveland - 7:30 pm
Boston at Detroit - 7:30 pm
Brooklyn at Philadelphia - 7:30 pm
Toronto at Milwaukee - 8:30 pm

Sunday, April 6
New York at Miami - 1 pm - ABC
L.A. Lakers at L.A. Clippers - 3:30 pm ABC
Dallas at Sacramento - 6 pm
Atlanta at Indiana - 6 pm - NBATV
Denver at Houston - 7 pm
Memphis at San Antonio - 7 pm
Utah at Golden State - 9 pm
Oklahoma City at Phoenix - 9 pm - NBATV
New Orleans at Portland - 9 pm

Monday, April 7
No Games Scheduled

Tuesday, April 8
Detroit at Atlanta – 7:30 pm
San Antonio at Minnesota – 8 pm
Brooklyn at Miami - 8 pm - TNT
Dallas at Utah - 9 pm
Oklahoma City at Sacramento - 10 pm
Houston at L.A. Lakers - 10:30 pm - TNT

Wednesday, April 9
Detroit at Cleveland - 7 pm
Brooklyn at Orlando - 7 pm
Philadelphia at Toronto - 7 pm
Charlotte at Washington - 7 pm
Boston at Atlanta - 7:30 pm
Miami at Memphis - 8 pm - ESPN
Indiana at Milwaukee - 8 pm
Chicago at Minnesota - 8 pm
Phoenix at New Orleans - 8 pm
Houston at Denver - 9 pm
Sacramento at Portland - 10 pm
Oklahoma City at L.A. Clippers - 10:30 pm ESPN

Thursday, April 10
San Antonio at Dallas - 8 pm - TNT
Denver at Golden State - 10:30 pm - TNT

Friday, April 11
Washington at Orlando - 7 pm
New York at Toronto - 7 pm
Charlotte at Boston - 7:30 pm
Atlanta at Brooklyn - 7:30 pm
Indiana at Miami - 7:30 pm - NBATV
Detroit at Chicago - 8 pm
Philadelphia at Memphis - 8 pm
Houston at Minnesota - 8 pm
New Orleans at Oklahoma City - 8 pm
Cleveland at Milwaukee - 8:30 pm
Phoenix at San Antonio - 8:30 pm
Portland at Utah - 9 pm
Golden State at L.A. Lakers - 10:30 pm - NBATV

Saturday, April 12
Sacramento at L.A. Clippers - 3:30 pm
Philadelphia at Charlotte - 7 pm
Milwaukee at Washington - 7 pm - NBATV
Miami at Atlanta - 7:30 pm
Boston at Cleveland - 7:30 pm
New Orleans at Houston - 8 pm
Phoenix at Dallas - 8:30 pm
Utah at Denver - 9 pm

Sunday, April 13
Oklahoma City at Indiana - 1 pm - ABC
Toronto at Detroit - 3:30 pm
Orlando at Brooklyn - 6 pm
Chicago at New York – 7:30 pm
Golden State at Portland - 9 pm
Minnesota at Sacramento - 9 pm
Memphis at L.A. Lakers - 9:30 pm - NBATV

Monday, April 14
Boston at Philadelphia - 7 pm
Milwaukee at Toronto - 7 pm
Miami at Washington - 7 pm
Charlotte at Atlanta - 7:30 pm
Orlando at Chicago - 8 pm
San Antonio at Houston - 8 pm - NBATV
Oklahoma City at New Orleans - 8 pm
L.A. Lakers at Utah - 9 pm
Memphis at Phoenix - 10 pm
Minnesota at Golden State - 10:30 pm - NBATV

Tuesday, April 15
New York at Brooklyn - 8 pm - TNT
Denver at L.A. Clippers - 10:30 pm - TNT

Wednesday, April 16
Dallas at Memphis - 8 pm
Atlanta at Milwaukee - 8 pm - ESPN
Utah at Minnesota - 8 pm
Houston at New Orleans - 8 pm
Detroit at Oklahoma City - 8 pm
L.A. Lakers at San Antonio - 8 pm
Washington at Boston - 8 pm
Chicago at Charlotte - 8 pm
Brooklyn at Cleveland - 8 pm
Philadelphia at Miami - 8 pm
Toronto at New York - 8 pm
Indiana at Orlando - 8 pm
L.A. Clippers at Portland - 10:30 pm
Phoenix at Sacramento - 10:30 pm
Golden State at Denver - 10:30 pm - ESPN

*Playoffs begin Saturday, April 19.

[kingjames24szupladoh]

March 26, Final Scores/Leaders:

Raptors - 100 Cavaliers - 102
Lowry: 22 Pts. Lowry: 10 Asts. Johnson: 9 Rebs./Waiters: 24 Pts. Deng: 7 Asts. Thompson: 13 Rebs.

Blazers - 85 Magic - 95
Lopez: 20 Pts. Barton: 4 Asts. Lopez: 13 Rebs./Harris: 25 Pts. Oladipo: 6 Asts. Harris: 11 Rebs.

Thunder - 119 Mavericks - 128
Durant: 43 Pts. Westbrook: 8 Asts. Westbrook: 7 Rebs./Nowitzki: 32 Pts. Calderon: 8 Asts. Nowitzki: 10 Rebs.

Knicks - 96 Lakers - 127
Anthony: 29 Pts. Felton: 6 Asts. Anthony: 9 Rebs./Henry: 22 Pts. Marshall: 8 Asts. Kaman: 9 Rebs.




STANDINGS:
West:
1. SPURS* 54-16
2. THUNDER 52-19
3. CLIPPERS 50-21
4. Rockets 48-22
5. Blazers 45-27
6. Warriors 44-27
7. Grizzlies 42-28
8. Mavericks 43-29
9. Suns 42-29
10. Timberwolves 34-35
11. Nuggets 32-39
12. Pelicans⁰ 30-40
13. Kings⁰ 25-45
14. Lakers⁰ 24-46
15. Jazz⁰ 23-48

East:
1. PACERS* 51-20
2. HEAT* 48-21
3. Bulls 40-31
4. RAPTORS 39-31
5. Nets 37-32
6. Wizards 36-34
7. Bobcats 34-37
8. Hawks 31-38
9. Knicks 29-41
10. Cavaliers 28-44
11. Pistons 26-44
12. Celtics 23-47
13. Magic⁰ 20-52
14. Sixers⁰ 15-56
15. Bucks⁰ 13-58

* - Clinched Playoff Berth
⁰ - Eliminated from Playoffs contention
Division leaders are capitalized and are guaranteed at least the 4th seed.

[kingjames24szupladoh]

March 27, Final Scores/Leaders :

Nets - 111 Bobcats - 116
Williams: 29 Pts. Williams: 7 Asts. Blatche: 7 Rebs./ Jefferson: 35 Pts. Walker: 12 Asts. Jefferson: 15 Rebs.

Suns - 99 Wizards - 93
Dragic: 25 Pts. Bledsoe: 7 Asts. Tucker: 9 Rebs./Wall: 29 Pts. Wall: 6 Asts. Ariza: 8 Rebs.

Raptors - 99 Celtics - 90
Ross: 24 Pts. Lowry: 4 Asts. Valanciunas: 14 Rebs./Sullinger: 26 Pts. Rondo: 15 Asts. Sullinger: 8 Rebs.

Cavaliers - 97 Pistons - 96
Dellavedova: 21 Pts. Dellavedova: 6 Asts. Varejao: 16 Rebs./Smith: 24 Pts. Jennings: 13 Asts. Drummond: 11 Rebs.

Hawks - 83 Timberwolves -107
Scott: 15 Pts. Teague: 6 Asts. Millsap: 10 Rebs./Brewer: 18 Pts. Rubio: 10 Asts. Dieng: 15 Rebs.

Clippers - 96 Pelicans - 98
Crawford: 31 Pts. Paul: 12 Asts. Jordan: 16 Rebs./Morrow: 27 Pts. Evans: 9 Asts. Davis: 13 Rebs.

Heat - 83 Pacers - 84
James: 38 Pts. James: 5 Asts. James: 8 Rebs./George: 23 Pts. West: 5 Asts. West: 9 Rebs.

Nuggets - 103 Spurs - 108
Brooks: 25 Pts. Brooks: 8 Asts. Mozgov: 11 Rebs./Duncan: 29 Pts. Ginobili: 7 Asts. Duncan: 13 Rebs.

Knicks - 107 Kings - 99
Anthony: 36 Pts. Felton: 10 Asts. Chandler: 8 Rebs./Cousins: 32 Pts. Cousins: 8 Asts. Cousins: 15 Rebs.

Grizzlies - 91 Jazz - 87
Randolph: 22 Pts. Conley: 6 Asts. Randolph: 13 Rebs./Favors: 22 Pts. Burke: 10 Asts.
Kanter: 15 Rebs.


STANDINGS:

West:
1. SPURS* 55-16
2. THUNDER 52-19
3. CLIPPERS 50-22
4. Rockets 48-22
5. Blazers 45-27
6. Warriors 44-27
7. Grizzlies 43-28
8. Suns 43-29
9. Mavericks 43-29
10. Timberwolves 35-35
11. Nuggets⁰ 32-40
12. Pelicans⁰ 31-40
13. Kings⁰ 25-46
14. Lakers⁰ 24-46
15. Jazz⁰ 23-49

East:
1. PACERS** 52-20
2. HEAT** 48-22
3. RAPTORS 40-31
4. Bulls 40-31
5. Nets 37-33
6. Wizards 36-35
7. Bobcats 35-37
8. Hawks 31-39
9. Knicks 30-42
10. Cavaliers 29-44
11. Pistons 26-45
12. Celtics 23-48
13. Magic⁰ 20-52
14. Sixers⁰ 15-56
15. Bucks⁰ 13-58

** - Clinched Division
* - Clinched Playoff Berth
⁰ - Eliminated from Playoffs contention

Division leaders are capitalized and are guaranteed at least the 4th seed.

[kingjames24szupladoh]

March 28 , Final Scores/Leaders :

Blazers - 100 Hawks - 85
Aldridge: 25 Pts. Williams: 11 Asts. Aldridge: 16 Rebs./Teague: 22 Pts. Mack: 4 Asts. Brand: 12 Rebs.

Sixers - 98 Rockets - 120
Anderson: 30 Pts. Carter-Williams: 10 Asts. Young: 9 Rebs./Harden: 26 Pts. Harden: 10 Asts. Howard: 13 Rebs.

Lakers - 105 Bucks - 108
Hill: 28 Pts. Marshall: 7 Asts. Hill: 16 Rebs./ Knight: 30 Pts. Sessions: 5 Asts. Adrien: 9 Rebs.

Clippers - 109 Mavericks - 103
Paul: 31 Pts. Paul: 9 Asts. Jordan: 15 Rebs./ Carter: 23 Pts. Ellis: 7 Asts. Dalembert: 11
Rebs.


STANDINGS:

West:
1. SPURS* 55-16
2. THUNDER 52-19
3. CLIPPERS 51-22
4. Rockets 49-22
5. Blazers 46-27
6. Warriors 44-27
7. Grizzlies 43-28
8. Suns 43-29
9. Mavericks 43-30
10. Timberwolves 35-35
11. Nuggets⁰ 32-40
12. Pelicans⁰ 31-40
13. Kings⁰ 25-46
14. Lakers⁰ 24-47
15. Jazz⁰ 23-49

East:
1. PACERS** 52-20
2. HEAT** 48-22
3. RAPTORS 40-31
4. Bulls 40-31
5. Nets 37-33
6. Wizards 36-35
7. Bobcats 35-37
8. Hawks 31-40
9. Knicks 30-42
10. Cavaliers 29-44
11. Pistons 26-45
12. Celtics 23-48
13. Magic⁰ 20-52
14. Sixers⁰ 15-57
15. Bucks⁰ 14-58

** - Clinched Division
* - Clinched Playoff Berth
⁰ - Eliminated from Playoffs contention
Division leaders are capitalized and are guaranteed at least the 4th seed.

[kingjames24szupladoh]

March 29, Final Scores/Leaders:


Bobcats - 105 Magic - 110
Walker: 24 Pts. Walker: 8 Asts. Jefferson: 8 Rebs./Vucevic: 24 Pts. Nelson: 8 Asts. Vucevic: 23 Rebs.

Celtics - 103 Raptors - 105
Bayless: 20 Pts. Rondo: 8 Asts. Sullinger: 9 Rebs./DeRozan: 30 Pts. Lowry: 5 Asts. Johnson: 8 Rebs.

Pacers - 78 Wizards - 91
George: 19 Pts. Hill: 5 Asts. Stephenson: 14 Rebs./Wall: 20 Pts. Wall: 8 Asts. Gortat: 12 Rebs.

Cavaliers - 97 Nets - 108
Deng: 20 Pts. Deng: 7 Asts. Varajeo: 13 Rebs./Pierce: 22 Pts. Livingston: 6 Asts. Teletovic: 10 Rebs.

Heat - 110 Pistons - 78
James: 17 Pts. James: 12 Asts. James: 10 Rebs./Monroe: 12 Pts. Jennings: 7 Asts. Drummond: 14 Rebs.

Blazers - 91 Bulls - 74
Williams: 18 Pts. Batum: 4 Asts. Aldridge: 13 Rebs./Boozer: 16 Pts. Augustin: 7 Asts. Boozer: 12 Rebs.

Lakers - 107 Timberwolves - 143
Bazemore: 21 Pts. Nash: 6 Asts. Hill: 7 Rebs./Pekovic: 26 Pts. Love: 10 Asts. Love: 10 Rebs.

Jazz - 95 Pelicans - 102
Hayward: 21 Pts. Hayward: 7 Asts. Favors: 11 Rebs./Evans: 22 Pts. Evans: 15 Asts. Ajinca: 10 Rebs.

Kings - 81 Thunder - 94
McLemore: 18 Pts. McCallum: 5 Asts. Thompson: 14 Rebs./Durant: 29 Pts. Durant: 6 Asts. Ibaka: 8 Rebs.

Spurs - 133 Nuggets - 102
Belinelli: 27 Pts. Splitter: 7 Asts. Splitter: 12 Rebs./Foye: 20 Pts. Lawson: 5 Asts. Faried: 13 Rebs.

Knicks - 88 Suns - 112
Anthony: 21 Pts. Felton: 4 Asts. Anthony: 7 Rebs./Dragic: 32 Pts. Bledsoe: 6 Asts. Plumlee: 12 Rebs.

Grizzlies - 93 Warriors - 100
Randolph: 21 Pts. Conley: 6 Asts. Randolph: 7 Rebs./Curry: 33 Pts. Curry: 8 Asts. Green: 9 Rebs.




STANDINGS:
West:
1. SPURS* 56-16
2. THUNDER* 53-19
3. CLIPPERS 51-22
4. Rockets 49-22
5. Blazers 47-27
6. Warriors 45-27
7. Suns 44-29
8. Grizzlies 43-29
9. Mavericks 43-30
10. Timberwolves 36-35
11. Pelicans⁰ 32-40
12. Nuggets⁰ 32-41
13. Kings⁰ 25-47
14. Lakers⁰ 24-48
15. Jazz⁰ 23-50

East:
1. PACERSᶜ 52-21
2. HEATˢᵉ 49-22
3. RAPTORS* 41-31
4. Bulls 40-32
5. Nets 38-33
6. Wizards 37-35
7. Bobcats 35-38
8. Hawks 31-40
9. Knicks 30-43
10. Cavaliers 29-45
11. Pistons 26-46
12. Celtics 23-49
13. Magic⁰ 21-52
14. Sixers⁰ 15-57
15. Bucks⁰ 14-58

ᶜ - Clinched Central Division
ˢᵉ - Clinched Southeast Division
* - Clinched Playoff Berth
⁰ - Eliminated from Playoffs contention
Division leaders are capitalized and are guaranteed at least the 4th seed.

[kingjames24szupladoh]

March 30 Final Scores / Leaders :


Pistons - 98 Sixers - 123
Monroe: 20 Pts. Stuckey: 4 Asts. Monroe: 10 Rebs./Young: 21 Pts. Wroten: 9 Asts. Sims: 7 Rebs.

Clippers - 118 Rockets - 107
Paul: 30 Pts. Paul: 12 Asts. Jordan: 12 Rebs./ Harden: 32 Pts. Harden: 6 Asts. Asik: 11 Rebs.

Hawks - 97 Wizards - 101
Teague: 19 Pts. Mack: 6 Asts. Antic: 12 Rebs./ Wall: 25 Pts. Wall: 6 Asts. Gortat: 11 Rebs.

Kings - 100 Mavericks - 103
Gay: 30 Pts. McCallum: 8 Asts. Evans: 18 Rebs./Nowitzki: 19 Pts. Nowitzki: 7 Asts. Nowitzki: 7 Rebs.

Heat - 88 Bucks - 67
Bosh: 14 Pts. Douglas: 4 Asts. Andersen: 14 Rebs./Sessions: 15 Pts. Knight: 5 Asts. Henson: 10 Rebs.

Pelicans - 80 Spurs - 96
Roberts: 18 Pts. Roberts: 5 Asts. Aminu: 10 Rebs./Belinelli: 18 Pts. Duncan: 6 Asts. Duncan: 8 Rebs.


STANDINGS:

West:
1. SPURS* 57-16
2. THUNDER* 53-19
3. CLIPPERS* 52-22
4. Rockets 49-23
5. Blazers 47-27
6. Warriors 45-27
7. Suns 44-29
8. Grizzlies 43-29
9. Mavericks 44-30
10. Timberwolves 36-35
11. Pelicans⁰ 32-41
12. Nuggets⁰ 32-41
13. Kings⁰ 25-48
14. Lakers⁰ 24-48
15. Jazz⁰ 23-50

East:
1. PACERSᶜ 52-21
2. HEATˢᵉ 50-22
3. RAPTORS* 41-31
4. Bulls* 40-32
5. Nets 38-33
6. Wizards 38-35
7. Bobcats 35-38
8. Hawks 31-41
9. Knicks 30-43
10. Cavaliers 29-45
11. Pistons 26-47
12. Celtics 23-49
13. Magic⁰ 21-52
14. Sixers⁰ 16-57
15. Bucks⁰ 14-59

ᶜ - Clinched Central Division
ˢᵉ - Clinched Southeast Division
* - Clinched Playoff Berth
⁰ - Eliminated from Playoffs contention

Division leaders are capitalized and are guaranteed at least the 4th seed.

[kingjames24szupladoh]

March 30 Final Scores / Leaders :


Pistons - 98 Sixers - 123
Monroe: 20 Pts. Stuckey: 4 Asts. Monroe: 10 Rebs./Young: 21 Pts. Wroten: 9 Asts. Sims: 7 Rebs.

Clippers - 118 Rockets - 107
Paul: 30 Pts. Paul: 12 Asts. Jordan: 12 Rebs./ Harden: 32 Pts. Harden: 6 Asts. Asik: 11 Rebs.

Hawks - 97 Wizards - 101
Teague: 19 Pts. Mack: 6 Asts. Antic: 12 Rebs./ Wall: 25 Pts. Wall: 6 Asts. Gortat: 11 Rebs.

Kings - 100 Mavericks - 103
Gay: 30 Pts. McCallum: 8 Asts. Evans: 18 Rebs./Nowitzki: 19 Pts. Nowitzki: 7 Asts. Nowitzki: 7 Rebs.

Heat - 88 Bucks - 67
Bosh: 14 Pts. Douglas: 4 Asts. Andersen: 14 Rebs./Sessions: 15 Pts. Knight: 5 Asts. Henson: 10 Rebs.

Pelicans - 80 Spurs - 96
Roberts: 18 Pts. Roberts: 5 Asts. Aminu: 10 Rebs./Belinelli: 18 Pts. Duncan: 6 Asts. Duncan: 8 Rebs.


STANDINGS:

West:
1. SPURS* 57-16
2. THUNDER* 53-19
3. CLIPPERS* 52-22
4. Rockets 49-23
5. Blazers 47-27
6. Warriors 45-27
7. Suns 44-29
8. Grizzlies 43-29
9. Mavericks 44-30
10. Timberwolves 36-35
11. Pelicans⁰ 32-41
12. Nuggets⁰ 32-41
13. Kings⁰ 25-48
14. Lakers⁰ 24-48
15. Jazz⁰ 23-50

East:
1. PACERSᶜ 52-21
2. HEATˢᵉ 50-22
3. RAPTORS* 41-31
4. Bulls* 40-32
5. Nets 38-33
6. Wizards 38-35
7. Bobcats 35-38
8. Hawks 31-41
9. Knicks 30-43
10. Cavaliers 29-45
11. Pistons 26-47
12. Celtics 23-49
13. Magic⁰ 21-52
14. Sixers⁰ 16-57
15. Bucks⁰ 14-59

ᶜ - Clinched Central Division
ˢᵉ - Clinched Southeast Division
* - Clinched Playoff Berth
⁰ - Eliminated from Playoffs contention

Division leaders are capitalized and are guaranteed at least the 4th seed.

[kingjames24szupladoh]

Monday, March 31 Schedule: 8 games

Utah at Oklahoma City - 3 pm ET, 12 pm PT
Indiana at Cleveland - 3 pm ET, 12 pm PT
Minnesota at Brooklyn - 6 pm ET, 3 pm PT
Toronto at Orlando - 6 pm ET, 3 pm PT
Chicago at Boston - 7 pm ET, 4 pm PT
New York at Golden State - 9 pm ET, 6 pm PT
Memphis at Portland - 9 pm ET, 6 pm PT on NBATV
Phoenix at L.A. Lakers - 9:30 pm ET, 6:30 pm PT

[kingjames24szupladoh]

March 31, Final Scores/Leaders:

Jazz - 96 Thunder - 116
Kanter: 18 Pts. Hayward: 9 Asts. Favors: 13 Rebs./Durant: 31 Pts. Durant: 9 Asts. Adams: 8 Rebs.

Pacers - 76 Cavaliers - 90
George: 15 Pts. Hill: 6 Asts. George: 7 Rebs./Waiters: 19 Pts. Jack: 9 Asts. Thompson: 16 Rebs.

Timberwolves - 99 Nets - 114
Brewer: 21 Pts. Rubio: 12 Asts. Dieng: 11 Rebs./Pierce: 22 Pts. Williams: 5 Asts. Plumlee: 8 Rebs.

Raptors - 98 Magic - 93
DeRozan: 28 Pts. Lowry: 4 Asts. Valanciunas: 9 Rebs./Vucevic: 22 Pts. Nelson: 5 Asts. Vucevic: 10 Rebs.

Bulls - 107 Celtics - 102
Augustin: 33 Pts. Noah: 13 Asts. Noah: 8 Rebs./Rondo: 17 Pts. Rondo: 11 Asts. Sullinger: 10 Rebs.

Knicks - 89 Warriors - 84
Smith: 21 Pts. Felton: 4 Asts. Stoudemire: 13 Rebs./Curry: 32 Pts. Iguodala: 6 Asts. O'Neal: 12 Rebs.

Grizzlies - 98 Blazers - 105
Randolph: 21 Pts. Conley: 9 Asts. Randolph: 7 Rebs./Aldridge: 28 Pts. Batum: 6 Asts. Lopez: 10 Rebs.

Suns - 99 Lakers - 115
Green: 22 Pts. Smith: 5 Asts. Morris: 12 Rebs./Kaman: 28 Pts. Marshall: 11 Asts. Kaman: 17 Rebs.






STANDINGS:
West:
1. SPURS* 57-16
2. THUNDER* 54-19
3. CLIPPERS* 52-22
4. Rockets 49-23
5. Blazers 48-27
6. Warriors 45-28
7. Suns 44-30
8. Mavericks 44-30
9. Grizzlies 43-30
10. Timberwolves 36-36
11. Pelicans⁰ 32-41
12. Nuggets⁰ 32-41
13. Lakers⁰ 25-48
14. Kings⁰ 25-48
15. Jazz⁰ 23-51

East:
1. PACERSᶜ 52-22
2. HEATˢᵉ 50-22
3. RAPTORS* 42-31
4. Bulls* 41-32
5. Nets 39-33
6. Wizards 38-35
7. Bobcats 35-38
8. Hawks 31-41
9. Knicks 31-43
10. Cavaliers 30-45
11. Pistons 26-47
12. Celtics 23-50
13. Magic⁰ 21-53
14. Sixers⁰ 16-57
15. Bucks⁰ 14-59

ᶜ - Clinched Central Division
ˢᵉ - Clinched Southeast Division
* - Clinched Playoff Berth
⁰ - Eliminated from Playoffs contention
Division leaders are capitalized and are guaranteed at least the 4th seed.

[kingjames24szupladoh]

Tuesday, April 1 Schedule: 10 games

Washington at Charlotte - 7 pm ET, 4 pm PT

San Antonio at Indiana - 7 pm ET, 4 pm PT on NBATV

Philadelphia at Atlanta - 7:30 pm ET, 4:30 pm PT

Milwaukee at Detroit - 7:30 pm ET, 4:30 pm PT

Toronto at Miami - 7:30 pm ET, 4:30 pm PT

Boston at Chicago - 8 pm ET, 5 pm PT

L.A. Clippers at Minnesota - 8 pm ET, 5 pm PT

Sacramento at New Orleans - 8 pm ET, 5 pm PT

Memphis at Denver - 9 pm ET, 6 pm PT

New York at Utah - 9 pm ET, 6 pm PT

[Zurca]

NBA Power Rankings: Kevin Durant nears Michael Jordan, but Spurs still on top from Y! Sports

1. San Antonio Spurs (57-16; last week's ranking: 1): The Spurs' franchise-record-tying 17-game win streak will be tested in upcoming games against Indiana, Golden State and Oklahoma City.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder (54-19; last week's ranking: 3): Kevin Durant has scored at least 25 points in 38 straight games and is two games shy of tying Michael Jordan's 17-year-old record.

3. Los Angeles Clippers (52-22; last week's ranking: 2): Coach Doc Rivers has a reputation of being cautious with injuries to his stars. Expect the same with Blake Griffin, who had back spasms.

4. Miami Heat (50-22; last week's ranking: 7): Miami hosts a potential second-round playoff opponent in the Raptors on Monday. Miami has a 14-game win streak over Toronto, including 3-0 this season.

5. Houston Rockets (49-23; last week's ranking: 4): Houston is 13-8 this season when Jeremy Lin starts at point guard. Point guard Patrick Beverley is out indefinitely because of a knee injury.

6. Indiana Pacers (52-22; last week's ranking: 5): Indiana is a surprising 8-9 in March and has scored less than 85 points in each of the past six games. The schedule gets no easier with the Spurs up next.

7. Portland Trail Blazers (48-27; last week's ranking: 9): Golden State currently owns a playoff tiebreaker over the Trail Blazers with a 2-1 series lead. Portland hosts the Warriors on April 13.

8. Golden State Warriors (45-28; last week's ranking: 6): Along with Andrew Bogut out with a groin injury, David Lee has missed two straight games with a hamstring injury and has yet to resume running.

9. Phoenix Suns (44-30; last week's ranking: 11): The playoff hopeful Suns' remaining schedule: Clippers, at Blazers, Thunder, at Pelicans, at Spurs, at Mavs, Grizzlies and at Kings.

10. Memphis Grizzlies (43-30; last week's ranking: 8 ): Memphis plays four of its final eight games against winning teams and has four games overall left at home.

11. Dallas Mavericks (44-30; last week's ranking: 10): The Mavericks own the playoff tiebreaker with Memphis and are 1-1 versus Phoenix this season with the last meeting on April 9.

12. Toronto Raptors (42-31; last week's ranking: 12): The Atlantic Division-leading Raptors are vying to win their division for the first time since seven years ago – the only time they've won it.

13. Chicago Bulls (41-32; last week's ranking: 13): Eight of Chicago's final nine games are against teams without a winning record, which should aid its hopes of landing the East's third seed.

14. Brooklyn Nets (39-33; last week's ranking: 14): The Nets are in competition with the Raptors for the Atlantic Division title and with the Raptors and Chicago for the East's third playoff seed.

15. Washington Wizards (38-35; last week's ranking: 15): The Wizards have to wait at least another day to clinch their first playoff spot since 2008 after New York beat Golden State.

16. Minnesota Timberwolves (36-36; last week's ranking: 16): The T'wolves, losers of four of their past six, have a tough schedule ahead with the Clippers, Memphis and a visit to Miami.

17. Charlotte Bobcats (35-38; last week's ranking: 17): The East's sixth-seed Bobcats are three games behind fifth-seed Washington. They meet in Washington on Monday.

18. New Orleans Pelicans (32-41; last week's ranking: 19): Tyreke Evans has had a great March for New Orleans, averaging a well-rounded 20.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds.

19. Atlanta Hawks (31-41; last week's ranking: 18): The Hawks, losers of six straight, have done all they can to help the Knicks' playoff hopes. Cleveland also is making a late run at the East's No. 8 seed.

20. New York Knicks (31-43; last week's ranking: 20): After years of returning from injuries quickly, veteran forward Kenyon Martin appears to be cautious with his ankle problems.

21. Denver Nuggets (32-41; last week's ranking: 21): Forward Kenneth Faried is enjoying his best month of the season, averaging 19.3 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals in March.

22. Cleveland Cavaliers (30-45; last week's ranking: 24): The Cavaliers are 2½ games behind Atlanta for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Cleveland plays at Atlanta on Friday.

23. Sacramento Kings (25-48; last week's ranking: 22) The Kings opted not to sign Royce White for the rest of the season after two 10-day contracts and before he had a chance to travel.

24. Los Angeles Lakers (25-48; last week's ranking: 26): The Lakers are closing in on 50 losses. The last time the Lakers had 50 losses in a season was in 1974-75 when they finished with 52.

25. Detroit Pistons (26-47; last week's ranking: 25): The Pistons' season became even more forgettable when the Sixers beat them to end their 26-game losing streak.

26. Utah Jazz (23-51; last week's ranking: 23): The Jazz have lost four straight games and are 2-14 in March. Utah can play the role of spoiler against playoff hopeful New York on Monday.

27. Boston Celtics (23-50; last week's ranking: 27): Kelly Olynyk is trying to become the first Celtics rookie to have 500 points, 300 rebounds and 100 assists in a season since Paul Pierce.

28. Orlando Magic (21-53; last week's ranking: 28): There's good news in Orlando. Nikola Vucevic has 36 double-doubles this season and has averaged 22.6 points the past three games.

29. Milwaukee Bucks (14-59; last week's ranking: 29): Milwaukee, losers of nine of its past 10, was held to its lowest scoring total in three years with 67 in Saturday's loss to Miami.

30. Philadelphia 76ers (16-57, last week's ranking: 30): With a win Monday at Atlanta, the Sixers could win two straight games for the first time since they won four straight from Dec. 29-Jan. 4.

[kingjames24szupladoh]

Abolish the NBA's Conference System

*good article at may point naman talaga , para competitive especially pag playoffs .