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NBA wrap: Spurs down Blazers to take southwest title
All-star guard Manu Ginobili poured in 30 points and Nazr Mohammed chipped in with 10 points and 14 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs eased past the slumping Portland Trail Blazers 95-89 Tuesday, clinching the Southwest division title.
Locked in a battle with the Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat for top spot in the NBA standings, the Spurs have continued to pile up the wins without Tim Duncan, improving to 8-4 without the two-time league MVP who is sidelined with a sprained ankle.
It was fifth win in six games for the surging Spurs, who improved their record to 58-20 and sparkling 37-3 at home.
Ginobili, who missed Sunday's game against Golden State with the flu, didn't get much help on the scoreboard, Bruce Bowen, Beno Udrih and Glenn Robinson each contributing 11.
But the Spurs didn't need much help against the woeful Trail Blazers who have lost 15 of their last 16 games and 21 of the past 23.
In Phoenix, Amare Stoudemire scored 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while Shawn Marion added 18 points and 17 rebounds as the weary Suns used a late rally to tame the New Orleans Hornets 99-85 in matchup between the Western conference's best and worst teams.
Playing their fourth game in five nights, the Suns nearly fell victim to their fatigue trailing the woeful Hornets 77-73 with 11 minutes to play in the fourth quarter.
But the Suns showed their class, embarking on 15-2 run improving their record to an NBA best 59-19 to stay one game ahead of the Spurs in the battle for first place overall.
In Philadelphia, Paul Pierce had 27 points and 13 rebounds as the Boston Celtics beat the 76ers 105-98, taking a big step toward clinching the Atlantic division title.
Antoine Walker had 18 points and Ricky Davis added 16 for Celtics, who opened up a three game cushion on the second placed 76ers with just five games to play.
Allen Iverson returned to the Philadelphia lineup after missing a game with a sprained thumb, but the NBA's leading scorer could not stop the 76ers from absorbing their first loss in five games despite hitting for a game high 28 points.
In New York, Chris Bosh nailed 29 points and Jalen Rose added 25 as the Toronto Raptors rallied from a 19 point deficit to dump the slumping Knicks 105-93, in a contest featuring two teams already eliminated from post-season contention.
Stephon Marbury paced the Knicks with 22 points, all in the second half, as New York lost for the 10th time in 11 games.
In Los Angeles, Elton Brand notched 25 points and snared 10 rebounds and Mark Jaric added 20 points and seven assists sparking the Clippers to 94-85 win over the Utah Jazz.
Matt Harpring had 18 points to lead the Jazz while Mehmet Okur had the double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
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