NEW YORK: The Boston Celtics' backups outplayed the Atlanta Hawks starters in the fourth quarter to claim a 99-89 win Saturday and keep the Hawks waiting to secure a playoff spot.
Atlanta would have ended its nine-year playoff drought - the NBA's longest - with a victory. It remains two games ahead of Indiana with two to play in the race for the last Eastern Conference playoff berth.
In Indianapolis, Charlotte won to deal a severe blow to Indiana's playoff hopes with a 107-103 win.
Jason Richardson scored 26 points to lead the Bobcats.
The Pacers must now win their final two games and rely on Atlanta losing its two if it is to make the playoffs.
In Salt Lake City, Utah beat Denver 124-97 to strengthen its hopes of home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Mehmet Okur had 20 points and 15 rebounds while Deron Williams added 19 points and 11 assists for the Jazz.
Denver remained tied with Golden State for the eighth and last Western Conference playoff spot.
In Oakland, California, Golden State beat the Los Angeles Clippers 122-116 to keep its waning playoff hopes alive.
Baron Davis had 25 points and nine assists for the Warriors, while Stephen Jackson added 28 points.
The Warriors are tied with Denver for eighth in the Western Conference standings, but the Nuggets have the tiebreaker edge because they have the superior head-to-head record this season.
The Clippers lost their fifth straight game, and are closing out their worst season in eight years.
In Washington, Gilbert Arenas scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to lead Washington over Philadelphia 107-93.
The Wizards outscored the 76ers 31-9 in the final quarter.
The victory means the Wizards can finish no worse than sixth in the Eastern Conference, and can't be caught by the 76ers. Washington leads Philadelphia by two games with two to play and owns the tiebreaker due to a better conference record.
In Portland, Oregon, Brandon Roy scored 23 points as Portland held off a late challenge to beat Dallas 108-105.
The Mavericks had won their last three and look set to finish seventh in the Western Conference.
In Milwaukee, Richard Jefferson topped all scorers with 24 points as New Jersey spoiled newly-appointed Milwaukee general manager John Hammond's first game watching his team play with a 111-98 victory.
Vince Carter had 21 points for New Jersey.
Milwaukee has lost six straight.
In Memphis, Tennessee, Kirk Snyder had 22 points and 11 rebounds as Minnesota downed Memphis 114-105.
Al Jefferson added 21 points and 10 boards for the Timberwolves.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
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