Warriors closing in on Clippers

Jason Richardson scored a season-high 36 points, including a franchise-record eight three-point baskets, and the Golden State Warriors rolled to a 124-119 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Oakland.

The Warriors scored 45 points in the first quarter then held off a late charge by the Suns.

Stephen Jackson scored 29 points and Baron Davis added 21 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds as the Warriors took a big lead in the third quarter but blew most of it in the fourth before hanging on for an important victory for their playoff hopes.

With Richardson leading a remarkable barrage of offense in the first three quarters, Golden State moved within one game of the Clippers for the Western Conference’s final postseason spot. The Warriors set season highs for points in a quarter as Richardson scored 19 in the opening quarter, and they had a season-high 77 by halftime.

Leandro Barbosa scored 27 points for the Suns. Boris Diaw and four Phoenix reserves trimmed Golden State’s 25-point lead to five in the fourth quarter of the Suns’ first loss to Golden State in four meetings this season. Richardson didn’t score in the fourth quarter, but his 12 rebounds also were a season high.

Chicago 83, Detroit 81 -- Kirk Hinrich made two of three free throws with 2.8 seconds left, and the Bulls clinched their third playoff berth in a row, pulling out a victory at Chicago after the Pistons blew a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter.

It was the fourth consecutive victory for the Bulls and their 11th in 14 games.

Memphis 96, Portland 92 -- Rookie Tarence Kinsey had 20 points to lead four starters in double figures at Portland, Ore., and the Grizzlies won back-to-back games for the first time this season. The Trail Blazers also promoted Kevin Pritchard to their vacant general manager job.