Portland Regains Pippen in Win

The Portland Trail Blazers finally got to the Phoenix Suns.

After losing their first three games against the Suns this season, the Trail Blazers won, 120-102, Tuesday night at Portland.

Zach Randolph scored 27 points starting for injured center Dale Davis (back spasms), and Portland benefited from the return of guard Scottie Pippen.

The win helped Portland in its scramble with the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves for the fourth, fifth and sixth spots in the Western Conference.

If the Trail Blazers win their final game against the Clippers at Staples Center tonight, they’ll be guaranteed at least the fifth seeding. To finish fourth and earn home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs, the Trail Blazers must beat the Clippers and the Timberwolves must lose their final game in Memphis, Tenn.

Pippen was back in Portland’s lineup after knee surgery sidelined him for 17 games. He finished with seven points and two assists in 17 minutes.

Chicago 115, Philadelphia 106 -- Eddy Curry made his first eight shots on his way to a career-high 31 points, and Jamal Crawford matched his career best with 33 at Chicago as the Bulls kept the 76ers from clinching home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

It was the third loss in a row for the 76ers, who dropped into a tie with Indiana for third place in the Eastern Conference. Both teams end their season tonight and the Pacers have the tiebreaker if the teams end up tied.

Another loss, however, could drop Philadelphia as low as fifth in the East.

Allen Iverson scored 42 points, matching his high for the season.

Indiana 109, New York 93 -- Tim Hardaway made all four of his shots while playing the final 16 minutes of the first half at New York, helping the Pacers clinch home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs.

Jermaine O’Neal and Ron Artest scored 23 points each for the Pacers, who can move up to third place in the Eastern Conference if they finish tied with Philadelphia.

Hardaway had 12 points, four assists and three rebounds before sitting out the second half. The Pacers outscored New York, 48-36, when the 36-year-old playmaker was on the floor.

Miami 103, Toronto 99 -- The Heat ended its season with a victory at Toronto in what probably was the final home game for Raptor Coach Lenny Wilkens.

Afterward, Toronto General Manager Glen Grunwald grabbed a microphone and told the crowd, “We will not stand for this any longer.”

Wilkens, a Hall of Famer who holds the NBA coaching record for wins and losses, is expected to be fired after the season. The Raptors play their final game in Cleveland tonight.

Houston 97, Memphis 86 -- Steve Francis scored 19 points as the Rockets won their final game at Compaq Center before moving to their $202-million downtown arena next season.