Ellis helps Bucks move closer to Knicks

Monta Ellis scored 16 of his 30 points in the final five minutes, helping the Bucks fend off a Cleveland team missing Kyrie Irving for a 107-98 victory last night in Milwaukee.

Brandon Jennings scored 19 points and Ersan Ilyasova added 18 for Milwaukee. The Bucks have won four of their past five to close within a game of the Knicks for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Anthony Parker had 27 points for the Cavaliers, who have lost nine straight and 12 of 13.

Cleveland looked lost at times without Irving, who reinjured his sprained right shoulder Tuesday night in a blowout loss to San Antonio.

Heat 98, Thunder 93: LeBron James had 34 points and 10 assists, Dwyane Wade scored 19 points and the Miami Heat avenged a loss at Oklahoma City last week for their 17th straight home victory. Kevin Durant scored 30 points for Oklahoma City and Russell Westbrook added 28, but shot 9-for-26.

Warriors 97, T-Wolves 94: David Lee had 31 points and eight rebounds, and visiting Golden State rallied from a 20-point deficit. Former Hofstra star Charles Jenkins had 19 points and seven assists and Richard Jefferson scored 13, shooting of 5 of 7 for the Warriors, who snapped a six-game losing streak.

Raptors 99, 76ers 78: Andrea Bargnani scored 24 points and DeMar DeRozan had 18 to lead visiting Toronto to its third straight win. Elton Brand and Jrue Holiday had 20 points in Philadelphia's eighth loss in the last 12 games.

Pacers 109, Wizards 96: Danny Granger scored 20 points, and visiting Indiana won its third straight by shooting a season-high 58 percent. Darren Collison added 17 points and 11 assists, Tyler Hansbrough and Leandro Barbosa scored 14 points apiece, and Roy Hibbert had 13 points for the Pacers, who have won eight of 11 to move into third place in the Eastern Conference.

Spurs 87, Celtics 86: Tim Duncan had 10 points and 16 rebounds and visiting San Antonio recovered after blowing a 17-point, first-half lead for their ninth consecutive victory. Duncan also stopped Paul Pierce on the final play, forcing him into a fallaway jumper that bounced off the rim at the buzzer. Rajon Rondo had 17 points and 11 assists for Boston.

Hawks 120, Bobcats 93: Josh Smith scored 24 points and Jeff Teague added 17 for host Atlanta. Rookie Kemba Walker came off the bench to lead Charlotte with 21 points. Gerald Henderson added 15 for the Bobcats, whose NBA-worst record dropped to 7-45. -- AP