Nuggets close in on playoffs

Carmelo Anthony scored 30 points, including 6 in overtime, and the Nuggets took a major step toward their first playoff appearance in nine years with a 110-100 win over the Portland Trail Blazers last night in Denver.

With two games remaining, Denver took a one-game lead over Portland and remained tied with Utah for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Nene added 18 points for Denver. Marcus Camby had 14 points and 11 rebounds. Zach Randolph and Darius Miles each had 23 points for the Trail Blazers, with Randolph adding 11 rebounds. Derek Anderson had 21 points.

Pistons 101, Magic 89 -- Tayshaun Prince scored a career-high 25 points, and Detroit won its seventh straight game by beating host Orlando. Orlando dropped its 13th straight game to secure the NBA's worst record.

Knicks 102, Wizards 98 -- Tim Thomas and DeMarr Johnson each scored 22 points, and Frank Williams hit four free throws in the closing seconds of overtime to lift New York to victory in Washington. With the Celtics losing to Atlanta, the Knicks can finish as no worse than the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Jazz 82, Rockets 69 -- Andrei Kirilenko had 15 points and eight rebounds and Gordan Giricek scored 23 points to lead host Utah past Houston, keeping the Jazz tied for the final playoff spot in the West.

Hornets 92, Bucks 87 -- Jamaal Magloire scored 26 points and New Orleans prevented host Milwaukee from clinching home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Cavaliers 91, Heat 80 -- Jeff McInnis scored 16 points, LeBron James added 11 assists, and host Cleveland snapped a seven-game losing streak.

SuperSonics 119, Mavericks 99 -- Rashard Lewis scored 25 points and host Seattle avoided being swept by Dallas this season.