Richardson Takes Over for Warriors

Jason Richardson made sure LeBron James didn’t pull off any last-minute heroics in Cleveland.

Richardson scored Golden State’s final 10 points and the Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 103-100, Saturday night in what Cavalier Coach Paul Silas called a must-win game to stay in playoff contention.

“Oh yeah, I want the ball in my hands,” Richardson said. “I’ve been asking, saying it for the longest of times, and tonight proved that. I had to be the go-to guy in the fourth quarter. I can make plays.”

Richardson scored a season-high 35 points, topping James’ 34.

A week after James scored 41 in a comeback victory, he failed to get an open look with time running out.

The loss dropped Cleveland three games behind idle Boston for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers have six games left.

“If we run the table we’ve got a shot,” Carlos Boozer said. “We had a seven game streak before so we can do it.”

New York 86, Philadelphia 75 -- The victory at Philadelphia enabled the Knicks to move half a game ahead of Boston for seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

Samuel Dalembert scored 13 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for his fifth double-double in his last six games for the 76ers. He also had a career-high nine blocked shots.

Dallas 124, Phoenix 103 -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 34 points, Antawn Jamison had 22 and the Mavericks won their league-leading 33rd victory at home. The Mavericks, who shot a season-best 61%, improved to 33-5 at home.

Amare Stoudemire had 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Suns, who lost for the fourth time in six games and are 10-30 on the road.

New Orleans 94, Portland 81 -- P.J. Brown scored 24 points on 11 of 14 shooting to help the Hornets end a 10-game road losing streak that dated to Feb. 17.

The loss dropped the Trail Blazers into a tie with the Utah Jazz for ninth place in the Western Conference playoff race.

Miami 97, Chicago 93 -- Eddie Jones scored 21 points, and Caron Butler had 19 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Heat at Chicago.

Miami, half a game behind the Milwaukee Bucks for fourth place in the Eastern Conference, lost rookie guard Dwyane Wade to a ribcage injury late in the second quarter.