nba roundup Sunday’s other games

Nets 114, Timberwolves 99

NEW YORK

Paul Pierce scored 22 points after another sensational start, and the Nets moved to the brink of a playoff spot with their franchise record-tying 13th straight home victory. Pierce scored 16 in the first quarter, two nights after putting up 17 in the period, and didn’t miss a shot in either. Joe Johnson added 19 points for the Nets, who would clinch a playoff spot if the New York Knicks lost to Golden State later Sunday. Brooklyn equaled the longest home winning streak in the NBA this season and the best in the history of the franchise. Corey Brewer and Kevin Martin each scored 21 for the Timberwolves, who had won two in row and were coming off the highest-scoring game in the NBA this season, when they scored a franchise-record 143 points in a rout of the Lakers on Friday.

Thunder 116, Jazz 96

OKLAHOMA CITY

Kevin Durant had 31 points and nine assists to help the Thunder. Durant scored at least 25 points for the 38th consecutive game, the longest streak since Michael Jordan did it in 40 straight games for the Chicago Bulls during the 1986-87 season. Russell Westbrook scored 19 points, Serge Ibaka had 17 points and Caron Butler added 15 for the Thunder, who have won six of seven. Oklahoma City shot 55 percent from the field and made 11 of 18 3-pointers and 23 of 26 free throws. Enes Kanter had 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Jazz, who have lost four in a row.

Raptors 98, Magic 93

ORLANDO, FLA.

DeMar DeRozan had 28 points, Jonas Valanciunas added 20 points and nine rebounds, and the Raptors escaped. Trailing 96-93 with 8.9 seconds to play, the Magic had the ball and an opportunity to tie the game. But coming out of a timeout they failed to inbound the ball, turning it over on a 5-second violation. DeRozan was fouled and hit a pair of free throws to provide the final margin. The win was the Raptors’ third in a row and seventh straight over the Magic. Toronto swept the season series 3-0. Nik Vucevic led the Magic with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Bulls 107, Celtics 102

BOSTON

D.J. Augustin scored 15 of his career-high 33 points in the fourth quarter and the Bulls held off the slumping Celtics. Augustin was perfect from the foul line on 10 attempts and was 10-for-14 from the floor, including a 3-pointer late in the period to break a 96-all tie and give Chicago the lead for good. He followed that with six straight free throws to help the Bulls close out the Celtics. Augustin’s previous scoring high 31 points against Philadelphia in January 2011. Joakim Noah added 13 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds.

Associated Press