East race not over yet

Sam Cassell and Boston's backups outplayed Atlanta's starters in the fourth quarter, and the visiting Celtics prevented the Hawks from clinching their first playoff berth since 1999 with a victory.

Atlanta would have ended the NBA's longest playoff drought because Indiana lost to Charlotte earlier Saturday. The Hawks remained two games ahead of the Pacers with two to play, lowering their magic number to one for the right to face the Celtics in a first-round series.

Kevin Garnett sat out the fourth quarter but led Boston with 24 points. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen each had 14.

Joe Johnson scored 21 and Josh Smith and Al Horford each had 17 for Atlanta.

Bobcats 107, Pacers 103:ΠJason Richardson scored 26 points, and visiting Charlotte dealt a severe blow to Indiana's playoff hopes.

With the loss and Atlanta's loss to Boston, the Pacers need to win their last two and have the Hawks lose their final two to get into the playoffs.

Kings 94, Hornets 91: Ron Artest returned from a thumb injury to hit 4 clutch 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to help host Sacramento deal a big blow to New Orleans' hopes for the top seed in the Western Conference.

Blazers 108, Mavericks 105: Brandon Roy scored 23 points, and host Portland held off a late challenge to beat Dallas.

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

Other games: Mehmet Okur had 20 points and Deron Williams added 19 as host Utah beat Denver 124-97, strengthening their hopes of home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. … Richard Jefferson scored 24 points and Vince Carter added 21 as New Jersey spoiled general manager John Hammond's first game watching his new team play in Milwaukee. … Gilbert Arenas scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, when host Washingtonoutscored Philadelphia31-9 en route to a 109-93 victory. … Kirk Snyder had 22 points and Al Jefferson added 21 as Minnesotabeat host Memphis114-105.