Ron Artest really did predict the future. The Sacramento Kings are headed to the playoffs, just as he guaranteed back in January — and now Artest won't be satisfied unless this unlikely trip lasts into the second round.

Mike Bibby hit five 3-pointers while scoring 23 points, and the Kings celebrated their eighth consecutive playoff berth with a 96-79 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday night.

Bonzi Wells scored 16 points in three quarters for the Kings, who got their eighth win in 10 games to surge into the postseason. Sacramento's playoff spot was clinched midway through the fourth quarter when ninth-place Utah lost 111-95 at Dallas, but the Kings still finished strong in their 10th straight victory over the Hornets at Arco Arena since 1997.

Artest transformed the Kings' season when he arrived in a trade with Indiana for Peja Stojakovic, the last holdover from Sacramento's first playoff berth in the streak back in 1999. Bibby and coach Rick Adelman also deserve plenty of credit for Sacramento's surprising turnaround.

"It's gratifying to come from where we were, especially the last three weeks," Adelman said. "We got back into this thing, and that's a real accomplishment. On Jan. 30, we were behind about six teams that didn't make it . . . This is the fun part. It's a new season, and anything can happen."

Shortly after Artest arrived in town with a tarnished reputation and near-boundless energy from sitting out most of the last 1 1/2 seasons, he brashly guaranteed a playoff berth for his new 18-24 club. Then he led the Kings back from mediocrity with superb play on both ends, culminating in this last surge to the postseason.

Or maybe this isn't the culmination. Two weeks ago, Artest guaranteed the Kings would reach the second round — and though Artest makes predictions with all the caution of a boxing promoter, he insists he's serious.

"We're not finished," he said. "We've got a long season ahead of us. We're far from done. Our goal is to come out of this year No. 1, and win a championship."

BULLS 117, HEAT 93: At Miami, Luol Deng scored 17 of his 26 points to spearhead Chicago's first-half rally from an early 15-point deficit, and the Bulls also got 18 points apiece from Andres Nocioni and Ben Gordon to beat the Miami Heat and clinch an Eastern Conference postseason berth. Chicago's win not only spoiled Miami's home finale, it eliminated any hope Orlando had of sneaking onto the East's playoff bracket.

LAKERS 109, SUNS 89: At Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant made a late-season case for league MVP honors, scoring 43 points and helping the Lakers clinch a playoff berth. The Lakers are back in the postseason for the first time since losing the 2004 NBA Finals to Detroit. The Suns rested Steve Nash and Raja Bell because of thigh-related injuries, leaving Shawn Marion to carry the load in Phoenix's first loss to the Lakers this season. He had 29 points, and Leandro Barbosa added 16 before fouling out early in the fourth.

WIZARDS 104, CAVALIERS 92: At Washington, Gilbert Arenas scored 35 points, leading Washington past LeBron James and Cleveland to end a five-game losing streak and clinch consecutive postseason berths for the first time since 1988. Antawn Jamison added 16 points and 11 rebounds for Washington, and Caron Butler added 21 points after being out for five games with a right thumb injury.

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SUPERSONICS 114, CLIPPERS 98: At Los Angeles, Ray Allen had 21 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and Seattle ruined the playoff-bound Clippers' final regular-season home game. Elton Brand had 22 points and seven rebounds for Los Angeles, which finished its home schedule with a 27-14 record — the same as last season. The Clippers missed a chance for a four-game season sweep.

PISTONS 103, KNICKS 97: At Auburn Hills, Mich., Richard Hamilton scored 28 points and Tayshaun Prince added 20 as Detroit set a franchise record for wins. The Pistons (64-16) broke the mark of 63 wins set by the 1988-89 Bad Boys NBA champs, a team led by current Knicks president Isiah Thomas. The Knicks (22-58) need to win their final two games to avoid matching a franchise record for losses.

SPURS 103, TIMBERWOLVES 90: At Minneapolis, San Antonio moved closer to clinching first place in the Western Conference behind 57 points from its bench. Tim Duncan had 10 points and eight rebounds in 20 minutes for the Spurs (61-19), who need one more win or one more Dallas loss to seal the Southwest Division title and secure home-court advantage until the NBA Finals with the West's top seed.

NETS 95, CELTICS 93: At East Rutherford, N.J., Nenad Krstic scored 18 points to pace a balanced attack, Richard Jefferson added 15, and New Jersey held on to beat Boston. The win was the 17th in the last 20 games for the surging Nets (49-31), who have already clinched the Atlantic Division title and the No. 3 seed in the upcoming Eastern Conference playoffs. Their first-round opponent has yet to be determined. With nothing really at stake, Nets coach Lawrence Frank played his bench over the final six minutes.

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