NBA ROUNDUP : Orlando Captures First Atlantic Division Title

Orlando won its first division title in franchise history Monday night, claiming the Atlantic as well as the top seeding in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 111-100 victory over the Washington Bullets.

Shaquille O’Neal led the way with 34 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots as the Magic survived a fourth-quarter rally to improve to 38-2 at Orlando Arena and assure itself the home-court advantage through the conference finals.

The victory was only the second in the last six games for Orlando, though. The Magic has lost 14 of its last 18 road games, including five in a row, and won’t feel like they’ve turned themselves around unless they can win again Wednesday night at Washington.

The Bullets, who beat Milwaukee to end a 13-game losing streak on Saturday, lost for the 14th time in 15 games. Chris Webber, Juwan Howard and Gheorghe Muresan each had 21 points and Doug Overton finished with 20.

Portland 97, Seattle 93--Rod Strickland’s 15-foot jumper with 44 seconds to play in Tacoma, Wash., helped the Trail Blazers defeat the SuperSonics and clinch a playoff berth.

Strickland, who finished with 21 points, broke a 93-93 tie with the jumper.

Cliff Robinson added two free throws with 6.6 seconds left as the Trail Blazers beat the SuperSonics for the second time in five meetings.

It was a tough start to the final week of the regular season for the SuperSonics as they slipped behind Phoenix and into second place in the Pacific Division with the loss.

Buck Williams had 11 rebounds for Portland to give him 12,006 for his career. He is only the eighth player to get more than 12,000 rebounds and 15,000 points.

Charlotte 101, Philadelphia 90--Greg Sutton scored 16 points and Larry Johnson scored 15, all in the second half, as the Hornets improved their position in the playoffs by winning at Philadelphia.

Sutton, making his second start of the season in place of the injured Muggsy Bogues (strained hamstring), had a career-high seven assists, while Darrin Hancock had 15 points, also a career high, for Charlotte.

Sharone Wright had 22 points and Shawn Bradley 18 to lead Philadelphia.

The Hornets (49-30) moved within one game of Indiana in the race for first place in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division.

Milwaukee 99, New York 93--Vin Baker scored 10 fourth-quarter points in a row and finished with 28 and 13 rebounds as the Bucks earned a season split with the Knicks by winning at New York.

During his spurt, Baker converted an alley-oop dunk on a pass from Eric Murdock, then made a 14-footer, two free throws and a 10-footer. The last basket gave Milwaukee a 95-91 lead with 1:23 left.

Baker made 11 of 18 shots and played 47 minutes as the Bucks kept alive their slim playoff hopes.

The Knicks, coming off a 111-90 loss at Chicago that broke a five-game winning streak, looked sluggish playing their fourth game in five days.

Patrick Ewing had 14 points, only two in the fourth quarter.

Chicago 98, Miami 93--Michael Jordan scored 31 points at Miami, including four free throws in the final minute, and held Glen Rice to 12 points after he had scored a franchise-record 56 Saturday against Orlando. Rice missed 12 of 18 shots.

The game was late in the fourth quarter when Boston completed a victory over New Jersey, eliminating Miami from the playoff race. The Heat has failed to make the playoffs five times in its seven seasons.

The Bulls earned their fourth consecutive victory and their second in as many days.

Rookie Khalid Reeves scored a season-high 27 points for Miami. But Chicago outscored the Heat, 8-0, in the final 2:27.

The Bulls improved to 11-3 since Jordan’s return from retirement a month ago. With Jordan, Chicago is 21-1 against Miami.

Boston 98, New Jersey 96--Dee Brown scored 18 points and five other Celtics finished in double figures as Boston won at home, its eighth victory in nine games.

The Celtics, who were held scoreless over the game’s final 2:46, can clinch the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff berth with a victory or Milwaukee loss.