Magic beats Cavaliers to clinch third seeding in Eastern Conference playoffs

* Orlando 101, at Cleveland 86: The Magic clinched the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 playoff seeding despite getting only four points on one-for-eight shooting from All-Star center Dwight Howard – 17 below his average. Orlando’s defense, though, was the difference. The Magic held the Cavaliers to 14 points on 17% shooting (four for 23) in the fourth quarter.

* Atlanta 92, at Philadelphia 85: The Hawks (36-41) appear to be headed to the playoffs for the first time since the 1998-99 season. They hold a 3 1/2 -game lead over Indiana for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta’s 36th win was its most since it won 50 in the 1997-98 season.

* at New Jersey 99, Toronto 90: A day after his swollen right ankle prevented him from playing against Detroit, Vince Carter returned to the lineup and scored 32 points to lead the Nets. Nevertheless, the Nets’ magic number for being eliminated from postseason contention was reduced to two because Atlanta beat Philadelphia. Any combination of Nets losses or Hawks wins totaling two will eliminate New Jersey from postseason contention for the first time in seven years.

* Washington 99, at Chicago 87: With Atlanta beating Philadelphia, the 11th-place Bulls fell 5 1/2 games out of the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Chicago could squeeze in on a tiebreaker if it wins its final six games and the Hawks lose their remaining five. The Wizards were without Antawn Jamison (sprained right shoulder) and Gilbert Arenas, who rested his surgically repaired left knee.

* Sacramento 118, at Denver 115: The Kings dealt a blow to the Nuggets’ playoff hopes. The Kings, out of playoff contention and playing without Ron Artest (thumb) and Brad Miller (leg), won despite a 47-point performance by Carmelo Anthony – two shy of his career high. Instead of moving into a seventh-place tie with Dallas, Denver, which trailed from the middle of the second quarter, fell into a tie with Golden State for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

* Boston 101, at Charlotte 78: The Celtics clinched home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

From the Associated Press