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Associated Press 9y

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NBA, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz

NEW YORK -- Evan Turner had 19 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics beat the Brooklyn Nets 110-91 on Monday night to snap a three-game losing streak that had dropped them out of playoff position.

Avery Bradley scored 20 points to lead the Celtics, who moved a half-game ahead of Charlotte for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets lost 98-86 at Chicago.

Tyler Zeller and Kelly Olynyk each had 18 points for Boston, which bounced back from a 105-97 overtime loss to Detroit at home on Sunday. Coach Brad Stevens said he felt his players tightened up in that game, but they had a mostly stress-free second half Monday after quickly pulling away in the third quarter.

Brook Lopez scored 31 points for the Nets, who had won two in a row to give themselves renewed playoff hopes. But they endured bad nights all over the roster, from Joe Johnson (3 for 11) to Jarrett Jack (1 for 9) to Alan Anderson (2 for 9).

ROCKETS 110, PACERS 100

INDIANAPOLIS -- James Harden scored 19 of his 44 points in the fourth quarter, and the Rockets handed the Pacers their sixth straight loss.

Josh Smith added 18 points for the Rockets (47-23), who have won four of five.

Indiana's sinking playoff hopes took another big hit despite 23 points from C.J. Watson. George Hill had 20 points for the Pacers (30-40).

Harden, one of the favorites for the NBA MVP award, was 10 of 21 from the field and 21 for 22 from the free-throw line. He also had seven assists and four rebounds.

BULLS 98, HORNETS 86

CHICAGO -- Nikola Mirotic scored 14 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, and the Bulls clinched a playoff spot.

Pau Gasol had 27 points and 12 rebounds as Chicago moved into a tie with Toronto for third place in the Eastern Conference. Jimmy Butler added 19 points in his return to the lineup after missing 11 games with a sprained left elbow.

The Bulls played without center Joakim Noah, who was scratched because of general soreness, but managed to bounce back from an ugly 107-91 loss at Detroit on Saturday.

Kemba Walker had 29 points and Mo Williams scored 15 for the Hornets, who were without Cody Zeller (right shoulder) and shot just 34.6 percent from the field.

Charlotte has lost four of five to fall out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Hornets are a half-game back of Boston, which beat Brooklyn 110-91 on Monday night.

GRIZZLIES 103, KNICKS 82

Zach Randolph scored 23 points, Marc Gasol had 21 and Memphis Grizzlies secured a playoff spot with the road win.

The Grizzlies (50-21) shot 52 percent from the field in their third consecutive victory. Vince Carter added 14 points, Jeff Green scored 12 and Kosta Koufos had 10.

New York (14-57) has dropped four in a row and 11 of 13. Langston Galloway scored 19 points, Andrea Bargnani had 18 and reserve Jason Smith finished with 16.

The Knicks grabbed their first lead of the game on Galloway's 3-pointer with 10:31 left in the third, but the Grizzlies closed the period with an 18-5 run. Randolph's driving layup gave Memphis a 74-61 lead heading into the fourth period.

TIMBERWOLVES 106, JAZZ 104

SALT LAKE CITY -- Rookie guard Zach LaVine scored 27 points, including two 3-pointers to force overtime, and Minnesota rallied past Utah.

LaVine's clutch shots in the fourth quarter set up a 6-1 Minnesota run to start overtime that the Jazz couldn't overcome.

The Timberwolves won for only the third time this month.

The game featured some of the NBA's top young stars. No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins scored 22 points and fellow rookie Sean Kilpatrick added 13 off the bench for Minnesota. Chase Budinger had 15 points, including an overtime 3 that gave the Timberwolves a 102-97 lead.

Second-year center Rudy Gobert had 18 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks for the Jazz. Rookie forward Joe Ingles scored a career-high 18, and Derrick Favors added 19 points and 12 boards.

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