LeBron scores 27 as Cavs top Raptors

CLEVELAND — LeBron James scored 27 points, the last coming on a sensational layup, and the Cleveland Cavaliers gave the Toronto Raptors another reminder of what could lie ahead in the playoffs with a 112-106 victory on Tuesday night.

James added nine rebounds, six assists and helped put the Raptors away down the stretch with an artistic three-point play.

It was Cleveland’s second win in two weeks over the Eastern Conference’s top team, whose lead over second-place Boston continues to shrink. This time, the Cavaliers were much healthier than when they beat the Raptors on March 21, despite missing five rotational players and coach Tyronn Lue.

HEAT 101, HAWKS 98

In Miami, Hassan Whiteside’s tip-in with a minute left put the Heat up for good, Josh Richardson blocked a potential go-ahead shot in the final seconds and Miami clinched their 20th playoff spot in 30 seasons by rallying to beat Atlanta.

The Heat trailed 98-90 with less than 3 minutes left, then finished the game on an 11-0 run.

Tyler Johnson’s 3-pointer got Miami within one, and Whiteside tipped in Josh Richardson’s miss on the next possession. Atlanta had a chance to take the lead when Damion Lee got into the lane and tried a 10-footer with about 5 seconds left, but Richardson blocked it and the Heat controlled the rebound.

WARRIORS 111, THUNDER 107

In Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 34 points while being booed throughout the game, leading Golden State over the Thunder.

Klay Thompson added 20 points for the Warriors, who evened the season series at two wins apiece despite guard Stephen Curry missing his sixth straight game with a left MCL sprain.

Russell Westbrook had 44 points and 16 rebounds, and Paul George added 20 points and eight rebounds for the Thunder.

ROCKETS 120, WIZARDS 104

In Houston, James Harden had 38 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, leading the Rockets over the Washington.

At 63-15, the Rockets already clinched home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, but weren’t interested in losing any momentum against Washington.

Clint Capela had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Houston, while Gerald Green had 16 points off the bench on 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc and one authoritative two-handed slam in the fourth.

76ERS 121, NETS 95

In Philadelphia, J.J. Redick scored 19 points and Ben Simmons had 15 points and 12 rebounds to lead the 76ers to their 11th straight victory.

Neither Simmons nor Redick played in the fourth quarter for Philadelphia, which won its third consecutive contest without AllStar center Joel Embiid. Embiid had surgery on Saturday after suffering an orbital fracture in his left eye in Wednesday’s 118-101 win over the Knicks. Embiid will be out for the remainder of the regular season and is slated to return for the playoffs, although his exact return date is not known.

BUCKS 106, CELTICS 102

In Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 29 points and had a key block with 53 seconds left, Khris Middleton added 20 points and the Bucks held off shorthanded Boston.

Eric Bledsoe added 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting for the Bucks, who clinched their second straight winning season for the first time since back-to-back finishes over .500 in 1999-00 and 2000-01. One more win clinches a second consecutive postseason berth for Milwaukee.

BULLS 120, HORNETS 114

In Chicago, Lauri Markkanen scored 24 points and Sean Kilpatrick added 21 off the bench to lead the Bulls over Charlotte.

Justin Holiday had 19 points and Bobby Portis added 16 for Chicago, which has won three straight.

MAVERICKS 115, TRAIL BLAZERS 109

In Dallas, Dennis Smith Jr. scored 18 points, including a highlight-reel dunk to help keep the lotterybound Mavericks ahead in a win over Portland, delaying the Trail Blazers’ hopes of clinching homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

A hodge-podge lineup kept the Mavericks in front in the fourth quarter, with Maxi Kleber giving them their biggest lead at 104-94 on a 3-pointer with 3:13 remaining.

NUGGETS 107, PACERS 104

In Denver, Nikola Jokic scored 30 points, Jamal Murray hit a clutch 3-pointer late — his only one of the game — and the Nuggets received a boost to its playoff hopes by holding off Indiana.

Denver pulled within a half-game of New Orleans for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

JAZZ 117, LAKERS 110

In Salt Lake City, Ricky Rubio scored 31 points on 10-of-15 shooting, added eight assists and six rebounds, and the Jazz beat Los Angeles.

Donovan Mitchell added 26 points while Rudy Gobert chipped in 12 points, 16 rebounds and five assists. Six players scored in double figures to lead the Jazz to their third straight win.

SUNS 97, KINGS 94

In Phoenix, Josh Jackson scored 18 of his 28 points in the first half and the Suns ended a franchiserecord, 15-game losing streak with a victory over Sacramento.

Alex Len added 17 points and 15 rebounds, and Tyler Ulis had 13 points and nine assists as the Suns held the cold-shooting Kings to 37 percent shooting.

MAGIC 97, KNICKS 73

In New York, Mario Hezonja scored 19 points, Jamel Artis added 16 off the bench, and Orlando beat the Knicks.

Reserve Shelvin Mack had 12 points and Nikola Vucevic had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Magic, who snapped a three-game losing streak.