Kidd's 100th triple-double leads Mavs

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana: The Indiana Pacers beat New York 132-123 in the NBA on Wednesday, sending the Knicks to a franchise record-tying 59th loss in what might have been Isiah Thomas' last game as coach.

New Knicks president Donnie Walsh hasn't promised Thomas he'll keep his job, and Thomas gave Walsh another reason to fire him. The Knicks allowed their highest point total of the season on the last day of the regular season.

Mike Dunleavy tied a career high with 36 points as Indiana reached a season-high point total.

In Miami, Jason Williams scored 17 points, Mark Blount and Daequan Cook each added 16 and Miami ended a disappointing season that may be the last with Pat Riley as coach, beating the Atlanta Hawks 113-99.

Riley will meet with Heat owner Micky Arison in the coming days and come to a decision on his future. Miami finished 15-67, matching the 1988-89 expansion team for the worst record in franchise history.

Josh Smith scored 20 points for Atlanta, which is headed to Boston for its first playoff appearance since 1999.

In Boston, second-stringer Leon Powe scored a career-high 27 points, adding 11 rebounds for his sixth career double-double, and the Boston bench helped beat New Jersey 105-94.

Boston finished 66-16 for the best record in the NBA.

In Dallas, Jason Kidd had the 100th triple-double of his career and sparked a 30-8 stretch in a 111-98 victory over the Hornets, sending Dallas into a first-round playoff showdown with New Orleans.

Kidd had 27 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds for his first triple-double since rejoining the Mavericks. He already was No 3 on the career list of triple-doubles, behind Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson.

In Houston, Luis Scola had 22 points and 10 rebounds, and Houston locked up the No 5 seed in the Western Conference playoffs after a 93-75 win over the LA Clippers.

The Rockets improved to 22-2 in their last 24 home games.

Corey Maggette scored 22 points and Elton Brand added 18 points and 12 rebounds for Los Angeles, which has lost 17 of the last 20 meetings to Houston.

In San Antonio, Tony Parker had 24 points and 12 assists for San Antonio, who deated the Utah Jazz 109-80. The spurs wrapped up the No 3 seed in the Western Conference and will play Phoenix in the first round.

Tim Duncan added 14 points and 11 rebounds, and four other Spurs scored in double digits.

C.J. Miles had 12 points for the Jazz, which will take on Houston to open the playoffs.

Agencies

(China Daily 04/18/2008 page24)