NBA Capsules

J.R. Smith scored 22 points for the Knicks, who pulled away in the second half to clinch the Eastern Conference's No. 7 seed and a first-round playoff matchup against No. 2 Miami beginning Saturday.

Gerald Henderson had 21 points for the Bobcats, whose 23rd consecutive loss left them with a winning percentage of .106 (7-59) in the lockout-shortened season. The record was set 39 years ago, when the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers finished 9-73 (.110) in a full regular season.

The Knicks held out Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Baron Davis, while Amare Stoudemire had 21 points over two quarters.

BULLS 107, CAVALIERS 75

CHICAGO (AP) — John Lucas III scored a career-high 25 points, Joakim Noah had 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Chicago Bulls clinched the top overall seed in the NBA playoffs.

With the No. 1 seed in the East already in hand and the playoffs beginning on Saturday, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau took no chances in the regular-season finale. He rested Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Kyle Korver.

Chicago will host Philadelphia on Saturday.

Tristan Thompson scored 13 points for the Cavaliers, who lost four straight games to end the season, their second straight last-place finish in the Central Division.

Kyrie Irving, who had a late-season sprained right shoulder and is recovering from the flu, did not play.

HAWKS 106, MAVERICKS 89

ATLANTA (AP) — Josh Smith scored 23 points and Atlanta clinched home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs after racing to a 23-point lead in the opening quarter.

The Hawks wrapped up the fourth-best record in the East and host fourth-seeded Boston on Sunday. The defending NBA champion Mavericks open the playoffs Saturday at Oklahoma City.

Atlanta pounced on the Mavericks right from the tip, making 16 of 23 shots (69.6 percent) in the opening period. Smith scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out five assists and had a steal. A 28-7 run, capped by Willie Green's 3-pointer, pushed the lead to 36-13.

Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 22 points.

NUGGETS 131, TIMBERWOLVES 102

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — JaVale McGee scored 19 points to help Denver lock down the sixth seed in the Western Conference.

Arron Afflalo scored 18 points and Danilo Gallinari had 17 points for the Nuggets, who won their fourth straight game and eighth in their last 10 as they surge into the postseason.

The Nuggets will face the third-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.

Nikola Pekovic had 18 points and 10 rebounds and J.J. Barea had 20 points and five assists for the Timberwolves, who will miss the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. The Wolves lost 13 of their last 14 games of the season.

CELTICS 87, BUCKS 74

BOSTON (AP) — Paul Pierce scored all 12 of his points in the first half despite missing most of it with a sprained toe and Rajon Rondo had 15 assists for Boston.

Avery Bradley added 14 points for the Celtics, who were nearly back at full strength in their final tuneup before the playoffs.

Tobias Harris led Milwaukee with 17 points. Jon Leuer added 15 points and Brandon Jennings scored 12 for the Bucks, who were 28-28 on April 7 but never could return to .500, finishing the season at 31-35 with two straight losses.

WIZARDS 104, HEAT 70

WASHINGTON (AP) — Playing without its Big Three, Miami suffered their worst defeat of the season.

With their first playoff game just two days away, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra rested LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh for the second straight game. The Heat are locked into the Eastern Conference's second playoff spot and will open the postseason Saturday against the New York Knicks.

Mo Evans had a season-high 18 points, Nene and Kevin Seraphin each scored 15, and John Wall had seven points and 12 assists for the Wizards, who closed the season with their first six-game win streak since Nov. 11-21, 2007.

With a lineup featuring only one usual starter — Mario Chalmers — the Heat had only two players in double figures: Norris Cole had 14 and Eddy Curry 10.

GRIZZLIES 88, MAGIC 76

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Marc Gasol scored 22 points, Rudy Gay added 20 and Memphis claimed the No. 4 seed in the West.

O.J. Mayo had 15 points and Zach Randolph, returning to the starting lineup, finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds to help the Grizzlies win their sixth straight and 11th in 13 games.

Memphis won a franchise-best 11 straight home games and will open the playoffs at home Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers, who dropped to the fifth seed.