NBA ROUNDUP Saturday’s games

April 5, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

Magic 88, Hawks 82

ATLANTA — Dwight Howard scored 21 points and tied a season high with 23 rebounds, helping the Magic pull within a half-game of tying for second place in the Eastern Conference. Howard’s performance marked the ninth time this season, and 23rd of his five-year career, that he’s had at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game. Coming off a blowout home victory over East-leading Cleveland on Friday, the Magic have won of two straight, eight of nine and 11 of 13. They are four games behind the Cavaliers and trail the second-place Celtics by percentage points. Joe Johnson scored 21 points for the Hawks, who have dropped three straight and six of eight.

Heat 118, Wizards 104

WASHINGTON — Dwyane Wade scored 33 points, and the Heat broke a franchise record with eight 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Wade and James Jones each made three 3-pointers in the final period, finally blowing open the game after the last of several Wizards comebacks. Miami made a season-high 14 3-pointers in 32 attempts, including 8-of-13 in the fourth. Miami also completed a 4-0 season sweep of the Wizards, who finished 1-15 against the Southeast Division. Caron Butler scored 27 points to lead the Wizards, who played without Gilbert Arenas.

Raptors 102, Knicks 95

NEW YORK — Andrea Bargnani scored 23 points, Chris Bosh had 17 points and 13 rebounds, and the Raptors extended their winning streak to six. Shawn Marion added 12 points and 13 boards for the Raptors, who stayed alive in what is almost certainly a too little, too late run at an Eastern Conference playoff spot. Toronto would have been eliminated with a loss and a victory by Chicago. Instead, the Raptors eliminated the Knicks, who haven’t made the postseason since 2004. Al Harrington and Chris Duhon each scored 22 points for the Knicks, who tumbled out of playoff contention with a disappointing finish to Mike D’Antoni’s first season. New York has lost four straight and 10 of its last 11 games.

Bulls 103, Nets 94

CHICAGO — Ben Gordon scored 12 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, John Salmons added 17 and the Bulls earned their eighth win in 11 games. Gordon missed his first 10 shots and was just 3-for-14 overall, but hit a key 3-pointer and two free throws during a game-ending 10-0 run. The Bulls led by as many as 16 in the second quarter and never trailed until Brook Lopez hit a short jump hook to make it 94-93 with 2:50 left in the game. But the Nets missed their final eight shots, suffering their sixth loss in seven games. Lopez led the fading Nets (31-45) with 20 points and 10 rebounds, but it was a rough afternoon for Vince Carter. He was favoring his left leg and wound up with just four points.

76ers 95, Pistons 90

PHILADELPHIA — Andre Iguodala scored a season-high 31 points, and Andre Miller had a triple-double with 21 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, and the 76ers clinched a playoff spot. Detroit led 88-87 with 2:17 left after Rodney Stuckey made two free throws. Miller made three free throws and Reggie Evans added two more with 39 seconds left for a 92-88 lead. Stuckey made two foul shots with 22.7 seconds left, cutting the lead to 92-90, but Miller answered with two foul shots. Philadelphia will use its final seven games to determine its seed in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers are fifth in the conference after Saturday’s win.

Associated Press