NBA roundup: Bobcats drop 21st straight

Published 12:00 am Monday, April 23, 2012

Associated Press
The NBA roundup ….
WASHINGTON — John Wall had 16 points and 14 assists, Nene scored 18 points and Jan Vesely had 16 points on 8-for-8 shooting as Washington handed Charlotte its 21st straight loss.
The Wizards have their first four-game winning streak since Dec. 9-13, 2007. The 28-point margin of victory equaled their largest in the season.
The Bobcats were competitive for most of the first quarter until Charlotte’s Tyrus Thomas was ejected with 3.6 seconds left for throwing an elbow at Washington’s James Singleton. He was assessed a flagrant 2 foul. Singleton made two free throws.
It was part of a 16-0 run that gave the Wizards a 37-21 lead with just over 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Gerald Henderson had 19 points for the Bobcats, while D.J. Augustin added 15.
76ERS 105, NETS 87
NEWARK, N.J. — Philadelphia secured the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference and spoiled the Nets’ final game in New Jersey, 105-87 Monday night.
Thaddeus Young scored all 15 of his points in the second half to help the 76ers make the postseason for the second straight year and eliminate the Milwaukee Bucks from playoff contention.
SPURS 124, TRAIL BLAZERS 89
SAN ANTONIO — Tim Duncan and Danny Green both scored 18 points and San Antonio clinched the top playoff spot in the Western Conference and pushed their winning streak to eight.
Wesley Matthews had 24 points for Portland, which lost its sixth straight and has one game left in a tumultuous season.
PACERS 103, PISTONS 97
INDIANAPOLIS — Paul George scored 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter for Indiana.
George made 13 of 15 free throws and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Pacers. David West scored 20 points and Leandro Barbosa and Tyler Hansbrough added 13 points each for Indiana.
Pacers coach Frank Vogel rested regular starters Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert and George Hill since Indiana is locked into the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
GRIZZLIES 109, CAVALIERS 101
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Marreese Speights had 17 points and 10 rebounds and Marc Gasol also scored 17 points as Memphis won its fifth straight.
Rudy Gay scored 15 points, O.J. Mayo had 14, Tony Allen added 13 points and a franchise-record eight steals for the Grizzlies, who won their 10th straight at home.
BUCKS 92, RAPTORS 86
MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee is out of the NBA playoffs, despite getting 25 points from Brandon Jennings in a victory over Toronto.
Milwaukee’s postseason fate was determined earlier Monday night when Philadelphia beat New Jersey to clinch the eighth playoff berth in the Eastern Conference and eliminate the Bucks.
Ersan Ilyasova added 19 points and 15 rebounds for Milwaukee.
James Johnson had 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Raptors, who have lost four straight games.
The Associated Press
04/23/12 23:14
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