Knicks Not Bullied
The New York Knicks clinched the third seed in the Eastern Conference and kept the Bulls (69-13) from repeating as 70-game winners by beating Chicago 103-101 Saturday night at Chicago.
The Knicks finished 57-25 and earned the right to avoid the defending NBA champion Bulls until the Eastern Conference finals, if both teams get that far. New York won at the United Center for the first time.
In other games
Despite a 136-104 win over Philadelphia, Atlanta lost its bid to gain the No. 3 seed in the East when New York beat Chicago.
It was the final regular-season game at the Omni, which will be torn down this summer.
At Miami, the Heat and Magic didn’t put on much of a playoff preview as both teams rested their best players. Miami won the game 102-88.
The teams will meet in the first round of the playoffs beginning next Thursday or Friday. Miami’s Tim Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning and Orlando’s Rony Seikaly and Horace Grant didn’t play. Magic point guard Penny Hardaway played the first 5 minutes.
Is Brown seeing Celtic green?
Indiana Pacers coach Larry Brown will resign after the team’s final game today, media reports said Saturday.
Brown has asked Pacers president Donnie Walsh to let him out of the two years remaining on his contract, the Indianapolis Star and News and WTHR-TV reported.
Brown was to meet Saturday night with Walsh to discuss his future with the team before today’s game against Detroit. Brown said he has not spoken with other teams about coaching possibilities and would not say whether today’s game against Detroit in Market Square Arena would be his last with the team.
The Boston Globe reported Friday that the Boston Celtics asked permission from the Pacers to talk with Brown about the head coaching job M.L. Carr is expected to vacate.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Brown will be courted by a half-dozen teams, including the Knicks and Clippers.
Robinson says Blazers are ready
Portland forward Clifford Robinson says the Trail Blazers are ready for the playoffs - no matter who they’ll play.
Portland had fifth place in the Western Conference locked down and a 48-33 record heading into today’s regular-season finale against the visiting Los Angeles Lakers.
The Blazers control their own destiny because, if they beat Los Angeles, they will face the Lakers in the first round. If the Lakers win, Portland plays either Seattle or Houston. If Portland loses and Houston beats San Antonio, the Blazers will play Seattle. If Houston is upset by the Spurs, Portland and Houston will meet.
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: TODAY ON TV 12:30 p.m.: Lakers at Trail Blazers (NBC)