NBA Report
Rondo, Pierce, and Garnett pace Celtics Rajon Rondo had 20 points and 14 assists to lead the host Boston Celtics to a 104-88 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett also had double-doubles for Boston, which remains tied with Miami for the Eastern Conference's second spot.
Rondo, Pierce, and Garnett pace Celtics
Rajon Rondo had 20 points and 14 assists to lead the host Boston Celtics to a 104-88 victory over the Washington Wizards on Friday night. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett also had double-doubles for Boston, which remains tied with Miami for the Eastern Conference's second spot.
Anthony, Knicks cruise by Nets
Carmelo Anthony had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and the New York Knicks beat the host New Jersey Nets, 116-93. New York remained in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Bosh, Wade carry Heat past Charlotte
Chris Bosh scored 27 points, Dwyane Wade returned from injury to score 27 more, and the host Miami Heat held off the undermanned Charlotte Bobcats, 112-103. Charlotte played without injured regulars Stephen Jackson, Tyrus Thomas, and Shaun Livingston.
Elsewhere: The Chicago Bulls clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference with a 93-82 win over the host Cleveland Cavaliers. . . . Kevin Durant scored 28 points as the host Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets, 104-89, for their second win this week over their potential first-round playoff opponent. . . . Willie Green hit his first 12 shots and finished with a season-high 31 points to lead the host New Orleans Hornets to a 109-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Trevor Ariza added 21 points as the Hornets tied Portland for sixth place in the Western Conference. . . . Chris Wilcox scored a season-high 27 points as the host Detroit Pistons beat the Milwaukee Bucks, 110-100. . . . Zach Randolph had 27 points, and the host Memphis Grizzlies clinched the Western Conference's final playoff spot with a 101-96 win over the Sacramento Kings. . . . The host Dallas Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Clippers, 107-96, to keep their hold on the third seed in the Western Conference playoff race.
Nets fined $50K for Jay-Z's visit with Wildcats
The NBA has fined the New Jersey Nets $50,000 because hip-hop mogul and part-owner Jay-Z went into the Kentucky locker room after the Wildcats clinched a berth in the Final Four. NBA rules prohibit team personnel from having contact with players who are not yet draft-eligible.
Billionaire agrees to buy Pistons
The Detroit Pistons announced that billionaire California investor Tom Gores has agreed to buy the struggling NBA franchise, ending a drawn-out sale by longtime owner Karen Davidson that stretched back before the season. Davidson became the owner after her husband died in March 2009.
The tentative deal, which also includes the Palace of Auburn Hills and DTE Energy Music Theatre, must be approved by the NBA. Terms were not disclosed, but the deal is expected to close by June 30.
- Associated Press