Pacers extend edge over Heat in East

Paul George scored 23 points and Roy Hibbert had 21, leading the Indiana Pacers back from a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit for an 84-83 victory over the Miami Heat on Wednesday night at Indianapolis.

The NBA’s best home team ended a two-game losing streak, took a 2-1 lead in the season series against the two-time defending champions and rebuilt a three-game advantage in the race for the Eastern Conference’s top seeding. Indiana (52-20) also clinched its second straight Central Division crown.

LeBron James scored 38 points but missed a potential go-ahead three-pointer late. Chris Bosh had a jumper at the buzzer to win it, but it hit nothing but air.

Phoenix 99, at Washington 93: After letting a 25-point lead dwindle to three, Suns guards Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe got back to business, combining to finish with 48 points, 13 assists and 13 rebounds as the Suns won their fifth in a row and tied Dallas for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

at San Antonio 108, Denver 103: Tim Duncan had 29 points, 13 rebounds and five assists, and the Spurs overcame a fourth-quarter collapse for their 15th straight victory. San Antonio led by as many as 24 points and by 20 midway through the third quarter.

at Charlotte 116, Brooklyn 111 (OT): Al Jefferson scored 35 points, Kemba Walker had 20 points and 12 assists, and the Bobcats picked up their 10th win in their last 12 home games.

Toronto 99, at Boston 90: Terrence Ross scored 24 points, Kyle Lowry had 23 and the Raptors ended an 11-game losing streak in Boston to edge closer to their first playoff berth since 2008.

Cleveland 97, at Detroit 96: Dion Waiters made a 20-foot jumper at the buzzer, lifting the Cavaliers over the Pistons, who had a 16-point lead after three quarters.

at Minnesota 107, Atlanta 83: Gorgui Dieng had 15 points and 15 rebounds to continue his out-of-nowhere emergence and the Timberwolves dealt the slumping Hawks another costly loss.

New York 107, at Sacramento 99: Carmelo Anthony scored 36 points, J.R. Smith had 29 and the Knicks held off a furious rally to move to within two games of the final playoff spot in the East.

Memphis 91, at Utah 87: Zach Randolph had 22 points and 13 rebounds as the Grizzlies rallied in the fourth quarter.