NBA: Iverson, Webber miss 76ers win over Nets
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Allen Iverson and Chris Webber did not play because of injuries, did not show up in the locker room until tipoff and missed the Philadelphia 76ers’ 91-88 win over the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday night. The 76ers will fine Iverson and Webber for not being at the arena 90 minutes before the game against the Nets, and the duo might not make the trip to close out the season in Charlotte on Wednesday.
Wizards 116, Bucks 103
WASHINGTON – Gilbert Arenas scored 31 of his 43 points in the second half, and Washington overcame a career-high 43 points from Michael Redd.
Redd and Arenas combined for 62 points in the second half as the two catalysts dueled with playoff intensity for the chance to avoid Detroit, Miami or New Jersey in the first round. Rarely has such a fuss been made over fifth place, but no one wants to face one of the top three seeds when Cleveland, returning to the playoffs after a long absence, is an available opponent at No. 4.
The victory gave the Wizards a one-game lead over Chicago and Indiana and a 11/2-game lead over Milwaukee. All four teams have clinched playoff berths, but their seeds won’t be decided until Wednesday.
Hawks 103, Heat 100
ATLANTA – Tyronn Lue’s 3-pointer with 8.3 seconds left gave Atlanta a victory over a Miami team that was without its head coach and three top players.
Miami, looking ahead to the playoffs and intent on having its top players avoid injury, stayed close despite having leading scorers Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade watch the game in street clothes. Coach Pat Riley was visiting his sick mother in upstate New York. Miami also had their other two starters, forwards James Posey and Udonis Haslem, play backup roles.
Grizzlies 101, Clippers 95
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Jake Tsaklalidis scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Lorenzen Wright finished with 17 points as Memphis earned a better seeding but less favorable matchup in the first round of the playoffs.
The win gives Memphis the fifth seed in the Western Conference and an opening round matchup against Dallas. The Clippers, who lost their second straight and fifth in the last seven, dropped to the sixth seed but will have home-court advantage Northwest Division champion Denver.