Wizards take advantage of shorthanded Heat

THE MIAMI Heat chose resting LeBron James and Chris Bosh over fighting for the No. 1 overall seeding in the NBA Eastern Conference.

Trevor Ariza scored 25 points for the Wizards, who took advantage of the situation to beat the visiting Heat, 114-93, last night, a Miami loss that gives the No. 1 seed in the East to Indiana.

Washington remains in the hunt for the No. 5 playoff seed in the East.

Michael Beasley scored 18 points for the Heat, and Toney Douglas had 14 for the two-time defending champs, who will be the No. 2 seed when the playoffs begin this weekend.

The Heat began the day in contention for the top spot, but needed to win its last two games and have Indiana lose to Orlando tomorrow, because the Pacers hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.

"Just where we are right now, [James is] dealing with some minor ailments," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Nothing that's significant enough that will keep him out. Same thing with Chris. We made this decision and everyone else is ready to go. Everything is day by day."

* At Toronto, Greivis Vasquez scored 25 points, Kyle Lowry had 24 and the Raptors set a franchise record with their 48th win, beating the Milwaukee Bucks, 110-100.

* At Salt Lake City, Nick Young scored a season-high 43 points and helped the Los Angeles Lakers snap a seven-game losing streak with a 119-104 victory against the Utah Jazz.

* At Atlanta, Chris Douglas-Roberts dribbled into the lane and sank a short jumper as time expired, and the Charlotte Bobcats overcame a 15-point deficit in the final period to beat the Hawks, 95-93.

* At Houston, Chandler Parsons scored 21 points to lift the Rockets to a 104-98 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

* At Chicago, Joakim Noah had 18 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists and the Bulls pulled away late for a 108-95 victory over the Orlando Magic.

* At New Orleans, Tyreke Evans scored a career-high 41 points to go with nine rebounds, eight assists and three steals, and the Pelicans snapped an eight-game skid by shocking Oklahoma City, 101-89.

* Joe Dumars is stepping down as the Detroit Pistons' president of basketball operations. The move comes a day after the Pistons lost their home finale and dropped to 29-52 with one game remaining in the season.

* Michigan State sophomore guard Gary Harris and Syracuse sophomore Jerami Grant are forgoing their final years of eligibility and entering the NBA draft. ESPN.com reported that Arizona freshman Aaron Gordon and junior Nick Johnson will turn pro. Additionally, Michigan sophomore guard Glenn Robinson III is expected to announce this week he will declare for the draft, according to published reports. Also, Duke freshman Jabari Parker said he will decide tomorrow whether to declare for the draft, the Associated Press reported.

* Warriors center Andrew Bogut has a fractured rib that could keep him out for the start of the playoffs.

* Kings center DeMarcus Cousins was suspended one game without pay by the NBA for receiving his 16th technical foul of the season.