Hot Spurs Wrap Up Home-Court Edge

Tim Duncan scored 12 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter Wednesday night as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Golden State Warriors, 88-81, at Oakland to clinch home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Spurs, who won 12 of their last 13 games and went 31-5 after starting the season 6-8, captured the Western Conference title by wrapping up the regular season with five consecutive victories.

The Spurs and Utah Jazz each went 37-13 this season, but the Spurs claimed the Midwest Division crown and the conference title because they won their season series against the Jazz, 2-1.

Philadelphia 105, Detroit 100--Allen Iverson scored 33 points in the overtime victory at Philadelphia to hold off the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal in one of the closest scoring races in NBA history.

Iverson averaged 26.8 points, O’Neal 26.3.

New York 101, Miami 88--With the out-of-town scoreboard turned off on orders from Knick Coach Jeff Van Gundy and both teams wondering for three quarters whether the other would lose intentionally, the Knicks won at New York in a quasi-preview of their first-round series.

The Heat played without starters Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway and Dan Majerle, while the Knicks rested Patrick Ewing and Chris Childs in a game that ended up meaning nothing in terms of playoff positioning.

Charlotte 133, Boston 129--Rookies Ricky Davis and Brad Miller both scored 32 points for the Hornets in a double-overtime victory at Boston.

New Jersey 115, Milwaukee 107--Stephon Marbury had a career-high 41 points and 11 assists as the Nets capped a dismal, injury-plagued season with a victory over the playoff-bound Bucks at East Rutherford, N.J.

Atlanta 100, Washington 92-- Grant Long scored a season-high 22 points at Atlanta to help the Hawks clinch home-court advantage for their first-round playoff series against the Detroit Pistons.

Orlando 103, Chicago 83--The Bulls, playing on a night when they honored former coach Phil Jackson at Chicago, closed out the worst season in their history.

The three-time defending NBA champions ended the lockout-shortened season at 13-37. The worst previous season came in 1975-76 when they were 24-58.

The Bulls averaged 81.9 points, the NBA’s lowest average since the inception of the shot clock.

Houston 95, Denver 88--Michael Dickerson made his first five three-point shots and scored 27 points at Denver as the Rockets spoiled the Nuggets’ final game at McNichols Arena.

Phoenix 100, Minnesota 96--Tom Gugliotta scored four points, chased down a crucial offensive rebound and stole the ball--all in the final 42 seconds--to help the Suns hang on at Phoenix.

Sacramento 99, Vancouver 95--Vlade Divac scored 29 points to lead the Kings at Sacramento.

Toronto 96, Cleveland 87--Doug Christie scored 26 points to lead the Raptors at Toronto.

Around the League

Dennis Rodman will go on trial in Los Angeles Sept. 22 in a civil lawsuit filed by a cocktail waitress who accuses the former Laker of groping her at a Sunset Strip hotel. Susan Patterson sued Rodman in November 1998, alleging he groped her a month before, attorney Gloria Allred said.