NBA ROUNDUP : Nuggets Get Breathing Room

Reggie Williams scored 26 points and LaPhonso Ellis added 12 in his best game since returning from the injured list as the Denver Nuggets improved their playoff chances with a 106-81 rout of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night at Denver.

The Nuggets, who beat Minnesota for the eighth consecutive time and swept the season series, moved 1 1/2 games ahead of idle Sacramento in the race for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Kings, who have three games left, and Nuggets, who have two, close the season Sunday in Denver.

Denver’s victory also eliminated the Dallas Mavericks from playoff contention.

The Timberwolves dropped to 4-20 against Midwest Division teams and are one loss away from becoming the first team in NBA history to lose 60 games in four consecutive seasons.

Denver’s leading scorer, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, sat out for the fourth time in five games because of a a bruised right leg and a sprained right ankle. Ellis moved into the regular rotation, playing a season-high 21 minutes in only his fourth game of the season after recovering from a fractured right knee. He also grabbed seven rebounds.

“If I wasn’t having any effect on the ballgame, then I’d be disappointed,” Ellis said. “I’m giving it everything I have and going all out whether I score 20 points or zero points. Once I get everything back, my confidence will skyrocket.”

Utah 115, Houston 96--Karl Malone scored a season-high 45 points, including 13 in the pivotal third quarter, as the Jazz defeated the Rockets--their probable first-round playoff opponent--at Salt Lake City.

Malone made 16 of 24 shots and had 17 rebounds as the Jazz evened its season series with the Rockets at 2-2 and extended its winning streak to five games.

John Stockton had 19 points and 15 assists. David Benoit had 19 points and 13 rebounds.

Hakeem Olajuwon had 30 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who will try to avenge the loss Sunday, when Utah travels to Houston for the regular-season finale.

Indiana 103, Philadelphia 91--The Pacers moved within one victory of their first NBA divisional title with a victory at Indianapolis.

Rik Smits scored 25 points and had 12 rebounds to lead the Pacers. Derrick McKey added 20 points and 11 rebounds, giving Indiana a sweep of the season series with Philadelphia for the first time.

Indiana can clinch the Central Division title with one more victory or one more loss by the Charlotte Hornets.

Dana Barros scored 22 points for Philadelphia.

Milwaukee 106, Boston 97--Vin Baker scored 27 points and Glenn Robinson 26 as the Bucks kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a victory at Milwaukee.

Eric Murdock added 20 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for the Bucks, who trail Boston by two games with two games left for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Sherman Douglas scored 26 points, Dino Radja 20 and Dee Brown 18 for the Celtics.

Washington 123, Orlando 117--Doug Overton scored a career-high 30 points and Chris Webber posted his third triple-double of the season as the Bullets took advantage of Shaquille O’Neal’s absence to beat the Magic in overtime at Landover, Md.

It was the Magic’s sixth consecutive road loss.

Webber had 17 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists.

Anfernee Hardaway scored 12 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter as the Magic rallied from a 12-point deficit early in the period to force overtime.

O’Neal, bothered by tendinitis in his left knee, sat out his third game of the season.

Cleveland 90, Miami 79--Tyrone Hill had 21 points and 16 rebounds and Bobby Phills registered his first triple-double, leading the Cavaliers at Cleveland.

Phills scored 11 points, tied a career-high with 11 rebounds and had a career-high 10 assists. Phills also had a career-high five steals.

Glen Rice led Miami with 19 points.

Atlanta 104, New Jersey 99--Mookie Blaylock had 24 points and made two key baskets down the stretch at East Rutherford, N.J., as the Hawks handed the Nets their fifth consecutive loss.

Steve Smith and Greg Anderson each scored 17 points, and Grant Long added 15 points and 11 rebounds for Atlanta (41-39), which still hopes to catch Cleveland (42-38) for the sixth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.