Nets’ 11th straight victory clinches berth

Richard Jefferson scored 27 points and Vince Carter added 26 to help the New Jersey Nets win their 11th straight game and clinch an Eastern Conference playoff berth with a 91-88 win over the host Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.

The winning streak is the Nets’ third-longest in franchise history.

With the game tied at 84, Carter tipped in his miss to give the Nets a two-point lead with 42.6 seconds remaining. Jason Kidd then went 5 for 6 from the foul line to seal the win for New Jersey, which has six straight road victories – the second-longest streak in franchise history.

Clippers 106, Jazz 91: Elton Brand and Sam Cassell scored 22 points apiece to lead host Los Angeles to a victory over Utah that ensured the team’s first winning season since 1991-92. The Clippers (42-29) had only five seasons better than .500 since the franchise came into the league as the Buffalo Braves in 1970. They also had posted a winning record only twice since moving to California in 1978 and becoming the San Diego Clippers.

76ers 117, Knicks 112: Allen Iverson scored 47 points, Chris Webber had a season-high 34 points and 12 rebounds, and Philadelphia snapped a three-game losing streak, winning at New York. Rookie Nate Robinson scored a season-high 34 points.

Suns 140, Raptors 126: Boris Diaw had 26 points and nine assists and Leandro Barbosa added a career-high 28 points to lead Phoenix at Toronto.

Bulls 113, Bobcats 107: Andres Nocioni had 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead Chicago in Charlotte, N.C.

Magic 108, Mavericks 99: At Orlando, Fla., Jameer Nelson scored 27 points and Hedo Turkoglu added 25 to help the Magic hand Dallas its third straight loss.

Hornets 106, Grizzlies 102: Marc Jackson scored a season-high 24 points and Chris Paul added 21 points to help New Orleans beat Memphis in Oklahoma City.

Pistons 112, Bucks 105: Antonio McDyess scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to help Detroit rally to beat Milwaukee at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Rockets 105, Wizards 103: Yao Ming matched his season high with 38 points and Luther Head added 20 to lead the Rockets over Washington in Houston.

Nuggets 106, Timberwolves 94: Carmelo Anthony scored 32 points and the Nuggets overcame poor play in the first three quarters to defeat Minnesota at Denver.

Kings 96, Warriors 93: Brad Miller made four free throws in the final 9.9 seconds and Sacramento won three straight road games for the first time this season, beating Golden State in Oakland, Calif.

Off the courts

Dallas center DJ Mbenga was suspended one game without pay by the NBA for committing a flagrant foul against Cleveland’s LeBron James.