Webber’s Late Basket Gives Kings 93-92 Win

Chris Webber made a game-winning three-point basket with 4.6 seconds left, atoning for two missed free throws seconds earlier, and the Sacramento Kings defeated the Boston Celtics, 93-92, Friday night at Boston.

The Kings led by 19 points in the third quarter, but Boston used a 15-2 run to take the lead in the final minute thanks to 18 fourth-quarter points from Paul Pierce. Pierce finished with 40 points but missed a well-defended pull-up jumper at the buzzer that would have won it.

The Celtics could have clinched a playoff berth and a winning record with a victory.

Webber had missed two free throws with 14.4 seconds left and Sacramento trailing, 91-90. The Celtics got the rebound and passed the ball to J.R. Bremer, who was fouled.

He made the first free throw and missed the second. After a timeout, Webber made the game-winner from the top of the key.

Houston 88, Philadelphia 79 -- With Keith Van Horn sidelined and Allen Iverson playing poorly, the Rockets took advantage at Philadelphia and moved to within one game of Phoenix for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Iverson, playing with left knee bursitis, missed 19 of 23 shots, including his last 16, and finished with only eight points -- all in the first quarter. The 76ers lost Van Horn to a foot injury in the second quarter.

Indiana 98, Detroit 92 -- Jermaine O’Neal had 29 points and 13 rebounds and Ron Artest scored 20 points to lead Indiana’s second-half rally at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Indiana has won four of five -- after losing 15 of 19 -- to pull within 2 1/2 games of Detroit in the Central Division.

The Eastern Conference-leading Pistons have a half a game lead over New Jersey after losing three of five.

New Jersey 99, Miami 83 -- Jason Kidd single-handedly held off a Heat rally by scoring 13 of his 30 points in the third quarter at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Nets moved within half a game of the Pistons for first place in the Eastern Conference.

San Antonio 124, Toronto 98 -- At Toronto, Lenny Wilkens set the NBA record for most career coaching losses with one of the Raptors’ most lopsided defeats this season. It was his 1,107th.

Already the winningest coach in league history with 1,292 victories, Wilkens surpassed Bill Fitch’s record.

Milwaukee 95, Cleveland 93 -- The host Bucks, who have five games remaining, reduced their magic number to three in the race for a playoff berth.

Milwaukee victories and/or Washington Wizard losses totaling three gives the berth to the Bucks.

New York 94, Utah 92 -- Allan Houston made a 15-foot jump shot with 4.4 seconds left in overtime at Salt Lake City and the Knicks kept the Jazz from clinching a playoff berth.

Kurt Thomas blocked John Stockton’s tying attempt at the end of overtime.

Portland 122, Golden State 100 -- Rasheed Wallace scored 18 of his 28 points in the third quarter at Oakland to help the Trail Blazers hold onto fourth place in the Western Conference.

Derek Anderson had 31 points and 14 rebounds for Portland.