HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets secured their third straight NBA post-season berth Friday with a 120-110 victory over Minnesota. Houston drained a season-high 20 three-point shots, led by James Harden's six and Jason Terry's five. Harden led all scorers with 33 points, and chants of “MVP” rained down when he touched the ball as fans made their feelings known on his chances of winning the coveted NBA Most Valuable Player award. “The guy has been there all season long,” Timberwolves veteran Chase Budinger said of Harden. “He hasn't gotten hurt. He has had to carry them the whole season.” Indeed, Harden's efforts this season kept Houston afloat during the extended absence of star big man Dwight Howard. Howard, playing his second game since missing 26 contests with swelling in his right knee, scored 18 points in 20 minutes on the floor. Warriors 107, Grizzlies 84: Stephen Curry scored 38 points and Klay Thompson added 28 to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 107-84 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, their eighth win in a row. Golden State (59-13) avenged a 105-98 loss to the Grizzlies (50-23) in December. Memphis was the only team this season the Warriors had not defeated. Hawks 99, Heat 86: DeMarre Carroll scored 19 of his 24 points in the first half to pace the Atlanta Hawks to a 99-86 win over the Miami Heat. The victory, along with Cleveland's loss to Brooklyn, enabled Atlanta (55-17) to clinch first place in the Eastern Conference for the first time since the 1993-94 campaign. Miami (33-39) hold seventh place in the East by one game. Spurs 94, Mavericks 76: Boris Diaw scored 19 points, helping the Spurs defeat the Dallas Mavericks 94-76 to split the season series with two victories apiece. Dallas (45-28) committed 18 turnovers and lost guard Monta Ellis with an injury to his right knee. Clippers 119, 76ers 98: Chris Paul scored 25 points as the Los Angeles Clippers battered the Philadelphia 76ers 119-98 to clinch a playoff berth for a fourth straight season. Celtics 96, Knicks 92: Isaiah Thomas scored 18 points off the bench and Boston kept their half-game lead on the final playoff spot in the East by beating the New York Knicks 96-92. Nets 106, Cavaliers 98: Joe Johnson paced a balanced scoring attack with 20 points and nine assists, leading the Brooklyn Nets to a 106-98 win over Cleveland. Pelicans 102, Kings 88: Tyreke Evans scored 25 points and had 10 assists, and Anthony Davis scored 24 points, as the New Orleans Pelicans snapped a four-game losing streak with a 102-88 win over the Kings. Elsehwere it was: Wizards 110, Hornets 107 (double OT); Raptors 94, Lakers 83; Pistons 111, Magic 97. — Agencies
