The Basketball Diaries

Boston Celtics 90 Detroit Pistons 78

And with that, the Celtics become the first team in the NBA to clinch a playoff spot, and with only 23 games left to play. Kevin Garnett scored a season high 31 points to lead the Celtics past the Pistons in a matchup between the only two teams in the East worth anything. The win also gave Boston a victory in the season series against Detroit, taking two of the three meetings. "It was good to beat them in the regular season and win the series, but this is a team we're probably going to see in the playoffs," said Paul Pierce, who scored 15 points. "They'll be a better team by then." Chauncy Billups led Detroit with 23 points.

Houston Rockets 117 Indiana Pacers 99

When the Rockets found out they were going to be without Yao Ming for the rest of the season, I made no secret of the fact I thought it meant they had no chance of making the playoffs in the West. Well, all Houston's done since Yao went out is go 4-0 and extend their win streak to a franchise record 16 straight. Tracy McGrady had 25 points, and Rafer Alston added 21 to propel the Rockets. "It's all about confidence," McGrady said. "We have great chemistry and guys know their roles here. We all are playing so well, we just can't really count on one guy."

Denver Nuggets 126 Phoenix Suns 113

So that Shaq trade still isn't working out very well. Carmelo Anthony had 30 points and 13 rebounds, Allen Iverson had 31 points and 12 assists, and just about everybody in a Denver Nuggets uniform dropped in 20 points against the reeling Suns in Denver on Wednesday night. "Guys like Carmelo and A.I. are going to get theirs," Shaquille O'Neal said. "But when J.R. Smith comes out and shoots those wild shots that he was making, then they are a hard team to beat."

Elsewhere...

• Magic 122 Wizards 92
• Bobcats 118 Warriors 109
• Raptors 108 Heat 83
• Cavs 119 Knicks 105
• Hornets 116 Hawks 101
• Bucks 118 Sonics 106
• Grizzlies 100 Nets 93
• Jazz 105 TWolves 76
• Clippers 116 Kings 109 2OT