The Boston Celtics' backups outplayed the Atlanta Hawks starters in the fourth quarter to claim a 99-89 win Saturday and keep the Hawks waiting to secure a playoff spot. Atlanta would have ended its nine-year playoff drought – the NBA's longest – with a victory. It remains two games ahead of Indiana with two to play in the race for the last Eastern Conference playoff berth. Bobcats 107, Pacers 103: In Indianapolis, Charlotte won to deal a severe blow to Indiana's playoff hopes. Jason Richardson scored 26 points to lead the Bobcats. The Pacers must now win their final two games and rely on Atlanta losing its two if it is to make the playoffs. Jazz 124, Nuggets 97: In Salt Lake City, Utah beat Denver to strengthen its hopes of home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Mehmet Okur had 20 points and 15 rebounds while Deron Williams added 19 points and 11 assists for the Jazz. Denver remained tied with Golden State for the eighth and last Western Conference playoff spot. Warriors 122, Clippers 116: In Oakland, California, Golden State beat Los Angeles to keep its waning playoff hopes alive. Baron Davis had 25 points and nine assists for the Warriors, while Stephen Jackson added 28 points. The Warriors are tied with Denver for eighth in the Western Conference standings, but the Nuggets have the tiebreaker edge because they have the superior head-to-head record this season. In other games it was: Kings 94, Hornets 91; Wizards 109, 76ers 93; Trail Blazers 108, Mavericks 105; Nets 111, Bucks 98; Timberwolves 114, Grizzlies 105. __
