Warriors improve postseason chances

Baron Davis had 25 points and nine assists, Stephen Jackson added 28 points and the Golden State Warriors kept their waning playoff hopes realistic with a 122-116 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night in Oakland, Calif.

Monta Ellis and Andris Biedrins scored 17 points apiece for the Warriors, whose victory coupled with the Nuggets’ 124-97 loss at Utah earlier in the night left Golden State and Denver tied for eighth place in the Western Conference standings at 48-32.

The Nuggets have the tiebreaker edge for the final playoff spot after winning their regular-season series against the Warriors with a decisive victory at Golden State two days earlier. Denver must lose at least once more for the Warriors to have a shot at the postseason.

The Warriors, who travel to Phoenix on Monday night, will know whether they have a decent chance for their second straight playoff berth after Denver hosts the playoff-bound Houston Rockets tonight. The Nuggets have games remaining against Houston and lowly Memphis, while Golden State finishes against the Suns and Seattle.

Jazz 124, Nuggets 97: At Salt Lake City, Mehmet Okur had 20 points and 15 rebounds and Deron Williams added 19 points and 11 assists as Utah beat Denver to strengthen its hopes of home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The Jazz kept the Nuggets from moving closer to the final Western Conference playoff berth.

Kings 94, Hornets 91: At Sacramento, Calif., Ron Artest returned from a thumb injury to hit four clutch 3-pointers in the fourth quarter that helped the Kings deal a big blow to New Orleans’ hopes for the top seed in the Western Conference.

The loss dropped the Hornets into a tie with the Lakers for the top spot in the West.

Celtics 99, Hawks 89: At Atlanta, Sam Cassell and Boston’s backups outplayed the Hawks in the fourth quarter, and the Celtics prevented Atlanta from clinching its first playoff berth since 1999.

Timberwolves 114, Grizzlies 105: At Memphis, Tenn., Kirk Snyder had 22 points and 11 rebounds, Al Jefferson added 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Minnesota beat the Grizzlies in a game between two of the NBA’s worst teams.

Three people were injured before the game when a small section of the stands at FedExForum collapsed.

Bobcats 107, Pacers 103: At Indianapolis, Jason Richardson scored 26 points and Charlotte beat the Pacers to deal a severe blow to Indiana’s playoff hopes.

With the loss and Atlanta’s loss to Boston, Indiana needs to win its last two and have the Hawks lose their final two to get into the playoffs.

Wizards 109, 76ers 93: At Washington, Gilbert Arenas took over the game by scoring 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Wizards to the victory over Philadelphia.

The win means the Wizards can finish no worse than sixth in the Eastern Conference.

Nets 111, Bucks 98: At Milwaukee, Richard Jefferson scored 24 points and Vince Carter added 21 as New Jersey spoiled Milwaukee general manager John Hammond’s first game watching his new team play.

Trail Blazers 108, Mavericks 105: At Portland, Brandon Roy scored 23 points and the Trail Blazers held off Dallas.

Portland led by as many as 16 points in the first half, but Dallas chipped away and kept it close throughout the second.