The Orlando Magic kept their slim playoff hopes alive Friday night with a 119-116 victory over the New Jersey Nets as Nick Anderson capped a 50-point performance with a jumper in the lane with 37 seconds left.
The Magic scored 10 straight points and 12 of the final 15 to rally from a six-point deficit with 2:20 to go. The Nets loss was their ninth in 10 games.Nick Anderson may have scored 50, but Shaquille O'Neal was the show stopper once again.
O'Neal, Orlando's rookie center, brought down his second basket support of the season with a thunderous dunk just nine minutes into the Magic-New Jersey Nets game at the Meadowlands Arena.
The game was delayed 47 minutes while a new goal standard was wheeled into place.
O'Neal, 7 feet 1 and 303 pounds, took a pass from Anthony Bowie, and - with the Nets' Dwayne Schintzius trying to stop him - took one step and dunked with both hands, snapping the goal standard halfway up. The backboard, and the 24-second shot clock atop it, came crashing down.
"Leave him home next time," Nets veteran center Rick Mahorn said during the break.
Orlando has a chance at the NBA's final playoff spot, which is now up for grabs between Orlando (40-41), Indiana (40-41) and Detroit (39-42). If all three teams finished tied, Detroit will get the spot.
For Orlando to get it, the Magic must win their final game Saturday at Atlanta and the Pacers, who lost to Detroit Friday night, must lose at home to Miami. Detroit plays New Jersey in its regular-season finale Sunday.
The Nets are now tied for the fifth-best record in the Eastern Conference with Atlanta and Charlotte, who both won Friday night. New Jersey has the inside edge in case of a three-way tie.
Mavericks 103, Timberwolves 100
At Dallas, rookie Jim Jackson scored a career-high 32 points and the Dallas Mavericks avoided association with the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers as the worst team in NBA history with a victory over Minnesota.
The Mavs earned their 10th victory of the season to get out of a tie with the 76ers with just one game left. Philadelphia was 9-73 in 1972-73; Dallas is now 10-71.
Hawks 122, Bucks 106
At Atlanta, rookie Adam Keefe scored a career-high 30 points as Atlanta reserves outscored the Hawks' starters 71-51 in a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Celtics 107, Cavaliers 99
At Boston, the Boston Celtics outshot the NBA's best shooting team and capitalized on injuries to Brad Daugherty and Larry Nance to dominate inside in a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Knicks 99, 76ers 84
At Philadelphia, the New York Knicks, taking advantage of Chicago's loss at Charlotte, clinched homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a victory over Philadelphia behind Patrick Ewing's 26 points and 24 rebounds.
The Knicks needed a win against the Sixers and a loss by the Bulls to avoid a Sunday showdown with Chicago at Madison Square Garden.
Heat 121, Bullets 120
At Miami, Grant Long capped a 31-point performance by hitting a 20-foot jumper with 3.8 seconds remaining in overtime, lifting the Miami Heat past the Washington Bullets.
Rex Chapman, who missed a 3-point attempt at the end of regulation, missed the rim on a desperation 26-footer at the buzzer.
Pistons 109, Pacers 104
At Auburn Hills, Mich., Isiah Thomas scored nine of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and Bill Laimbeer had a season-high 24 points as the Detroit Pistons staved off elimination from the NBA playoff picture with a victory over the Indiana Pacers.
But the Pistons still need help to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 1983.
Hornets 104, Bulls 103
At Charlotte, NC., The Chicago Bulls, needing a victory to set up a Sunday showdown with New York for homecourt advantage in the Eastern Conference, lost to Charlotte on Larry Johnson's two free throws with 2.9 seconds left.
Johnson, who scored 31 points, sank the free throws, and the Hornets' third victory over the Bulls in 21 ties was sealed when Dell Curry intercepted Scottie Pippen's inbounds pass intended for Jordan, who scored 38 points.
SuperSonics 122, Lakers 93
At Seattle, Shawn Kemp had 26 points and 15 rebounds, powering the Seattle SuperSonics to their most one-sided victory ever over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Trail Blazers 112, Kings 108
At Sacramento, Calif., Rod Strickland scored 24 points, including three free throws in the final 5.6 seconds, as the Portland Trail Blazers claimed their 11th straight victory over Sacramento.