The Atlanta Hawks made a valiant effort to overcome a 20 point lead by the Miami Heat in the 4th quarter. Unfortunately for the Hawks, LeBron James (34 points) and the Heat had the No. 2 seed in their sights. They would not let the lead slip away as they defeated the Hawks 98-90. The Heat clinched the No. 2 spot putting Boston at No.3 and the Hawks will remain in the 5 spot:
Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls are so close to the No.1 seed they can taste it or see it better yet. With the Celtics in town, the Bulls were able to take care of business as they dismantled the Celtics for a 97-81 victory. Derrick Rose had 30 points and 8 assists as he continued to carried his team into that No. 1 spot:
The Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks both were able to hang onto their respective playoff spots after wins last night. The Nuggets beat the Lakers 95-90 to clinch a playoff spot and the Knicks beat the Cavaliers 123-107:
Dennis Rodman was honored last night by the Detroit Pistons as they raised his No.10 to the rafters before the game against the Chicago Bulls. Unfortunately for the Pistons, they could not hold off Derrick Rose and the rest of the Bulls squad who are vying for home court advantage throughout the playoffs:
The Indiana Pacers took advantage of the hole in the center of the Boston Celtics lineup last night in a 107-100 victory. The story here was how Roy Hibbert scored 26 points as the Celtics could not find an answer for him. Mainly because their answers have been traded away, Kendrick Perkins, or are currently injured (Shaquile O’Neal, Jermaine O’Neal & Troy Murphy):
