NBA roundup | Monday’s other games

Mavericks 98, Rockets 91, OT

HOUSTON

Dirk Nowitzki had 23 points and 12 rebounds, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets in overtime to move a half game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

Magic 95, 76ers 85

PHILADELPHIA

Dwight Howard returned from suspension to score 19 points, grab 13 rebounds and lead Orlando. Howard served an NBA suspension Sunday after picking up his 18th technical foul. He wasn’t bothered by the refs — or the Sixers — in his return. Howard dominated the boards with no one in the undersized Sixers lineup able to stop his one-handed jams and alley-oops.

Wizards 95, Celtics 94, OT

WASHINGTON

The Boston Celtics didn’t play four of their usual starters, essentially setting aside their bid for a better playoff seed for the chance to give their top players some rest, and the result was an overtime loss that handed the Heat the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference. With Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo watching from the bench, Celtics coach Doc Rivers made it clear that a fresh crew ready for the postseason was more important that using up energy to try to climb one rung in the standings in the season’s final days.

Jazz 90, Hornets 78

NEW ORLEANS

C.J. Miles and Devin Harris each scored 18 points for the Jazz. Paul Millsap scored 16 points and Gordon Hayward added 14 to help the Jazz win for only the second time in 12 games. Chris Paul, who went scoreless for the first time in his career in a loss at Memphis a night earlier, had 15 points. Marco Belinelli, who had 13 points, was the only other starter in double figures for New Orleans.

Bucks 93, Raptors 86

MILWAUKEE

Brandon Jennings broke free for three straight fast-break scores to give Milwaukee the lead in the fourth quarter, and the Bucks held on. John Salmons scored 24 points and Jennings added 21.

Bobcats 105, Nets 103

NEWARK, N.J.

D.J. Augustin hit a jumper with 1.1 seconds remaining, leading the Bobcats. Nets guard Sasha Vujacic, who finished with 19 points, hit a long 3-pointer to tie the game at 103 with 10.9 seconds remaining.

Heat 98, Hawks 90

ATLANTA

LeBron James scored 34 points and Miami held on against the Hawks, who nearly rallied from a 20-point deficit while playing their backups against the Big Three.

Associated Press