76ers get key win over New Jersey

Allen Iverson had 40 points and 10 assists as the Philadelphia 76ers remained tied for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot with a 116-96 win over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night in East Rutherford, N.J.

Chris Webber, back in the lineup after missing two games with a lower back strain, added 18 points for Philadelphia, which is tied for the No. 8 spot with Chicago at 37-41 with four games remaining. The Bulls beat Atlanta 96-90 Wednesday night.

Pistons 96, Cavaliers 73: At Auburn Hills, Mich., LeBron James sprained his left ankle late in the third and did not return, as Detroit went on to beat Cleveland and move within a game of home-court advantage in the playoffs.

James landed awkwardly while being guarded by Tayshaun Prince on a three-point play, and the MVP candidate hopped on his right foot, keeping weight off his left foot. He left the court moments afterward and had X-rays taken.

“Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao was ejected after taking down Detroit’s Rasheed Wallace.

Grizzlies 96, Bobcats 88: At Charlotte, N.C., Eddie Jones hit a 16-foot jumper that barely beat the shot clock with 41 seconds to play, sealing Memphis’ victory.

Warriors 114, Mavericks 102: At Oakland, Calif., Jason Richardson scored 25 points as Golden State beat Dallas for the third time this season.

Clippers 97, Trail Blazers 93: At Los Angeles, Elton Brand scored 25 points, and Sam Cassell added 19 points and 10 assists in a win over Portland.

Bucks 100, Wizards 97: At Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 21 points in the second half, including the game-winning basket with 19 seconds left, in a win over Washington.

Timberwolves 82, Rockets 79: At Houston, Marcus Banks hit the go-ahead jumper in the fourth as Minnesota snapped a 14-game road losing streak.

Jazz 104, Nuggets 83: At Salt Lake City, Carlos Boozer scored 25 points and pulled down 13 rebounds as Utah beat Denver.

Bulls 96, Hawks 90: At Atlanta, Chicago, missing two injured starters, won after overcoming a first half in which it shot 32 percent.

Pacers 117, Celtics 112: At Indianapolis, Peja Stojakovic scored 25 points, and Jermaine O’Neal had 21 points and 15 rebounds as Indiana beat Boston.

Magic 103, Raptors 96: At Orlando, Fla., Jameer Nelson had 27 points in a win over Toronto.

Shakur declares for draft

Arizona point guard Mustafa Shakur has made himself eligible for the NBA draft, but has not hired an agent and may return to the Wildcats for his senior season this fall.