NBA ROUNDUP : Smith’s 36 Power Knicks Past the Heat, 109-97

By the fourth quarter, the New York Knicks had the Miami Heat so angry and frustrated that they were running a half-hearted three-man weave.

Charles Smith scored a season-high 36 points and New York limited the Heat to 34% shooting in a foul-filled 109-97 New York victory at Miami on Tuesday night. The victory kept the Knicks in first place in the Eastern Conference with a one-game lead over the Chicago Bulls, who will play at New York in the final regular-season game Sunday.

Miami’s frustration began to show after assistant Bob Staak and then Coach Kevin Loughery were ejected for arguing calls.

Loughery received his second technical when Heat reserve Matt Geiger fouled out with 6:03 remaining and Miami trailing, 95-78. Loughery delayed for more than 30 seconds while deciding on a substitute, then sent all five Miami starters into the game.

After Loughery was ejected for his delay tactics, smiling Heat players ran a half-court weave the next time they had the ball.

Fifty-seven fouls were called, including two flagrant fouls on Miami and one on New York.

Cleveland 105, Detroit 81--The Pistons are on the verge of failing to make the playoffs for the first time in 10 seasons. With three games left, Detroit has the 10th-best record in the Eastern Conference and is two games back in the battle for the final playoff berth.

Larry Nance led Cleveland at Richfield, Ohio, with 19 points on nine-of-11 shooting.

Orlando 105, Washington 86--Shaquille O’Neal had his seventh game with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds. Playing at Orlando, O’Neal had 20 points and 25 rebounds and Nick Anderson scored 30 as the Magic never trailed.

Atlanta 111, Indiana 102--Kevin Willis scored 10 of his 31 points during a 23-4 fourth-quarter run at Atlanta, and the Hawks ended a three-game losing streak.

Chicago 123, Philadelphia 94--Michael Jordan scored 28 points and made three three-pointers during a 24-3 run at the start of the second half as the Bulls clinched first place in the Central Division at Chicago.

Portland 115, Golden State 99--Terry Porter scored 28 points and made six three-pointers as the Trail Blazers reached 50 victories for the fourth season in a row.

Golden State’s Tim Hardaway led all scorers with 29 points, including 13 during the fourth period.

Sacramento 101, Utah 92--Lionel Simmons scored 24 points and Wayman Tisdale and Spud Webb had 18 each for the Kings at Sacramento. Walt Williams added 16 points for the Kings, who have won three in a row for the first time since a six-game victory streak ended Jan. 5.