CHICAGO: Kyle Korver scored 19 points, Derrick Rose had 15 as the Chicago Bulls closed the regular season with their ninth straight victory, beating the New Jersey Nets 97-92 Wednesday. The Bulls earned home-court advantage throughout the playoffs with the NBA's best record later Wednesday with San Antonio's loss to Phoenix. Joakim Noah finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds to help the Bulls finish 62-20, equaling their best showing since the 1997-98 championship season. Chicago will face Indiana in the first round of the playoffs. Jordan Farmar had 21 points and 12 assists for the Nets. Suns 106, Spurs 103: At Phoenix, Marcin Gortat had 21 points and 13 rebounds as Phoenix denied San Antonio a chance for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. The Spurs, who at 61-21 finished a game behind Chicago for the best record in the NBA, lost Manu Ginobili to a hyperextended right elbow early in the game. Of greater concern to San Antonio could be the health of Ginobili, who went down with 9:46 left in the first quarter. X-rays for a more serious injury were negative. An MRI was planned Thursday. San Antonio will open against Memphis in the playoffs. Lakers 116, Kings 108, OT: At Sacramento, California, Kobe Bryant scored 36 points and forced overtime with a tying 3-pointer with 4.8 seconds left in regulation, and Los Angeles regrouped to beat Sacramento in what might have been the Kings' last game in Sacramento. A standing-room only crowd packed things beyond the 17,317-seat capacity, clanking cow bells and roaring louder than they had in years. With the team mulling a move to Anaheim, fans brought handmade signs and cheered their loudest to will the team back. And they nearly did. Instead, the Lakers pulled away in overtime to take the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, setting up a first-round series against New Orleans. Marcus Thornton had 33 points and Tyreke Evans added 16 for the Kings. Heat 97, Raptors 79: At Toronto, Eddie House scored a career-high 35 points and Juwan Howard added 18 as Miami beat Toronto in the regular-season finale. With the Heat assured of the second seed in the East, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra rested LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Celtics 112, Knicks 102: At Boston, Avery Bradley scored a career-high 20 points to help Boston's “B” team beat New York's second string in a regular-season finale both teams. Magic 92, Pacers 74: At Orlando, Florida, Ryan Anderson scored 14 points, and Dwight Howard had 13 points and 13 rebounds in a short night in Orlando's victory over Indiana. Clippers 110, Grizzlies 103: At Los Angeles, Blake Griffin had 31 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the 82nd and final game of his spectacular rookie season for Los Angeles. Mavericks 121, Hornets 89: At Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki scored 12 of his 32 points in the decisive third quarter, leading Dallas past New Orleans in the regular-season finale. Warriors 110, Trail Blazers 86: At Oakland, California, Reggie Williams scored 28 points, and Stephen Curry had 18 points and nine assists in Golden State's victory over Portland. Bucks 110, Thunder 106, OT: At Oklahoma City, Brandon Jennings scored 16 points as Milwaukee sent Michael Redd into free agency with a victory over Oklahoma City. Elsewhere it wasL Jazz 107, Nuggets 103; Bobcats 96, Hawks 85; Pistons 104, 76ers 100; Cavaliers 100, Wizards 93; Rockets 121, Timberwolves 102.
