CHICAGO BULLS’ Jimmy Butler, right, and Philadelphia 76ers’ Richaun Holmes, left, go diving for the loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Thursday.
Jimmy Butler had 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and helped give Chicago’s playoff hopes a needed boost with a 102-90 win over the 76ers.
The Bulls, Miami and Indiana entered the night with 38- 40 records and in a three-way tie for seventh in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Butler had his fourth career triple-double.
Rajon Rondo sat out with a sprained right wrist and Dwyane Wade missed another game with a fractured right elbow. Wade, who scrimmaged Wednesday for the first time since he was injured on March 15, could return as early as Saturday at Brooklyn. Wade, who averaged 18.6 points in his first season with his hometown team, had been ruled out for the season. Rondo was hurt Tuesday night in a loss to New York.
Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot led the 76ers with 18 points.
Wizards 106, Knicks 103
NEW YORK (AP) — Bradley Beal scored 25 points and made the tiebreaking 3- pointer with 49 seconds left in Washington’s victory over New York.
John Wall added 24 points and eight assists for the Wizards, who blew a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter but recovered to improve to 48-31, tying Toronto for third place in the Eastern Conference. Washington is trying for its first 50-win season since 1978- 79.
Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points for the Knicks.
Pacers 104, Bucks 89
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Paul George had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Indiana beat Milwaukee to keep its playoff hopes alive.
Jeff Teague added 15 points and seven assists for the Pacers. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Magic 115, Nets 107
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Elfrid Payton had 22 points, 11 assists and five rebounds to lead Orlando.
Aaron Gordon added 21 points, Jodie Meeks had 20, and Nikola Vucevic finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Jeremy Lin led Brooklyn with 32 points.
Trail Blazers 105, Timberwolves 98
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Allen Crabbe had 25 points, including a career-high eight 3-pointers, and the Portland Trail Blazers snapped a two-game losing streak.
Damian Lillard added 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for Portland, which held onto the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference ahead of the Denver Nuggets with three games to go.
Andrew Wiggins had 36 points for the Timberwolves, who have already been eliminated.
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