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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spurs wrap up division title


Portland's Shareef Abdur-Rahim, top, tries to yank the ball away from San Antonio's Manu Ginobili on Tuesday. .
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

Manu Ginobili scored 30 points in 34 minutes and Nazr Mohammed added 14 rebounds – 12 in the first half – as the San Antonio Spurs clinched the Southwest Division title Tuesday night with a 95-89 victory over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers.

It’s the fourth division title in the past five years for the Spurs. San Antonio won the Midwest Division title before the league realigned prior to this season.

Portland has lost 15 of its last 16 games and 21 of its past 23. The Trail Blazers are 3-19 under coach Kevin Pritchard who replaced the fired Maurice Cheeks on March 2.

Darius Miles led the Trail Blazers with 18 points in 19 minutes.

Celtics 105, 76ers 98: At Philadelphia, Boston took control of the Atlantic Division. Paul Pierce scored 27 points, including the go-ahead basket in the final minute, and the Celtics moved closer toward clinching the division title with a victory over second-place Philadelphia. Allen Iverson scored 28 points and Kyle Korver added 17 for the 76ers. .

Clippers 94, Jazz 85: At Los Angeles, Elton Brand had 25 points and 10 rebounds, leading Los Angeles to a victory over Utah. Marko Jaric added 20 points for the Clippers.

Raptors 105, Knicks 93: Rafer Alston banked in a 3-pointer to start a 13-0 run midway through the fourth quarter and Toronto sent the Knicks to their 10th loss in 11 games with a victory at New York. The point guard also had nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals .

Suns 99, Hornets 85: At Phoenix, Amare Stoudemire scored 27 points, including making 15 of 16 free throws, and Phoenix snapped out of their lethargy for a dominating fourth quarter in a victory over New Orleans.

Maggette sidelined

Clippers’ guard Corey Maggette will miss the season’s final five games because of a torn ligament in his left wrist, leaving the Clippers without their leading scorer.

Maggette’s wrist was put in a cast Monday for two weeks. He averaged a career-high 22.2 points in 66 games this season.

Also, coach Mike Dunleavy missed the game against Utah at Staples Center because of a medical emergency involving his father.

Martin fined

Kenyon Martin of the Denver Nuggets was fined $7,500 by the NBA for verbally abusing officials and failing to leave the court in a timely manner after his ejection against Golden State.

Nocioni suspended

Andres Nocioni of the Chicago Bulls was suspended one game without pay by the NBA for elbowing Detroit’s Tayshaun Prince in the forehead.

Around the League

Indiana Pacers rookie center David Harrison underwent surgery on his left knee and will be out the rest of the season. … Tar Heels junior Rashad McCants is expected to enter the NBA draft. … Pittsburgh point guard Carl Krauser is also making himself available for the NBA draft.