Trio Shares West’s Last Playoff Spot

Carmelo Anthony scored 36 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and the Denver Nuggets moved into a three-way tie for the final Western Conference playoff spot with an 111-97 victory over the undermanned Suns on Wednesday night at Phoenix.

The win gave the Nuggets, who won only 17 games last season, a 41-37 record, the same as Portland and idle Utah. It also completed the first season sweep by the Nuggets over the Suns.

The run-and-gun Nuggets capitalized on the Suns’ careless play and poor shooting to build a 52-37 halftime lead. Denver’s pressing defense forced the Suns into 15 first-half turnovers, leading to 17 points, and held them to 36.8% shooting (14 for 38).

Shawn Marion, who had bronchitis, didn’t play for the Suns, who had only eight healthy players.

Portland 87, Golden State 81 -- Darius Miles scored 21 points at Portland, Ore., to help the Trail Blazers prevail despite blowing a 13-point lead to win for the 11th time in their last 15 games.

New York 96, Chicago 82 -- In his second game after sitting out 16 because of abdominal surgery, Dikembe Mutombo had seven points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots to help the Knicks clinch their first playoff berth since 2001 at New York. Stephon Marbury had 20 points and 12 assists for the Knicks, seventh in the Eastern Conference.

Miami 104, Boston 101 -- Lamar Odom led six players in double figures as the Heat erased a seven-point fourth-quarter deficit with a 15-2 run at Miami and remained in contention for home-court advantage in the opening round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Heat, fifth in the East, has won 10 consecutive home games.

Paul Pierce had 31 points but missed what would have been a go-ahead three-pointer with 10 seconds left for Boston, which still has a two-game lead over Philadelphia for the conference’s final playoff spot.

Memphis 92, Cleveland 74 -- James Posey took up the offensive slack of three missing Grizzlies, scoring 35 points to send the visiting Cavaliers to their sixth loss in a row. Memphis ended a two-game losing streak without Pau Gasol (foot), Bonzi Wells (back) and Jason Williams (NBA suspension). The Grizzlies won 50 games for the first time and are a league-best 25-7 since Feb. 1.

Indiana 94, Toronto 90 -- Jermaine O’Neal had 22 points and 11 rebounds at Toronto as the Pacers eliminated the Raptors from playoff contention. The Raptors, losers of eight of their last nine games and five in a row at home, failed to make the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

San Antonio 96, Seattle 75 -- Tim Duncan had 21 points and 10 rebounds at San Antonio as the Spurs held the SuperSonics to two field goals in the third quarter to move within one game of Midwest Division leader Minnesota. The Spurs had a 19-4 third-quarter run and led by as many as 30 points in winning their 10th in a row at home.

Milwaukee 116, Washington 107 -- Michael Redd scored 35 points at Milwaukee to help the Bucks win their fourth in a row and stay 1 1/2 games ahead of fifth-place Miami by overcoming a 17-point second quarter deficit.