Richard Hamilton scored 22 points in just 24 minutes as the Chicago Bulls took a step closer to wrapping up the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 100-68 rout of the dreadful Charlotte Bobcats Wednesday. Hamilton made his first seven shots from the field, including four from beyond the arc and the outcome was never in doubt. Despite playing without leading scorers Derrick Rose and Luol Deng, the Bulls shot 48% from the floor and connected on 9-of-19 shots from three-point range to bounce back from Tuesday night's surprising 87-84 loss to the Washington Wizards. Kemba Walker scored 16 points for the Bobcats, who've lost a franchise-record 18 straight games. If the Bobcats lose their final five games they will finish with the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Omer Asik had nine points and 15 rebounds for the Bulls, while Joakim Noah and John Lucas each scored 12 points. Mavericks 117, Rockets 110: Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter as Dallas rallied for win over Houston, whose playoff hopes took another blow. Jason Terry put the Mavericks ahead to stay with a three-pointer that made it 93-92 with 7:37 left. By the time Nowitzki completed a three-point play 3½ minutes later, the Mavericks led 102-94. That wrapped up a 20-6 run their 11-time All-Star forward started with consecutive three-pointers. Vince Carter added 23 points and Jason Terry 19 for the defending NBA champion Mavericks. Jazz 112, Trail Blazers 91: Devin Harris had 27 points, including a career-high six three-pointers, and Utah continued to jockey for a playoff spot with a victory over Portland. Gordon Hayward added 23 points for the Jazz. Wesley Matthews had 21 points for the Blazers. Grizzlies 103, Hornets 91: Rudy Gay scored 26 points and Mike Conley added 20 as Memphis clinched a playoff berth for the second straight season with a victory over New Orleans. Gay shot 9-for-14 from the field and Conley hit eight of 11 as the Grizzlies shot 51% overall. Rookie Jerome Dyson led the Hornets with a career-high 24 points, while Carl Landry finished with 16. Marco Belinelli matched Landry's 16 points. Heat 96, Raptors 72: James scored 28 points before taking the fourth quarter off, Mike Miller added 13 points and Miami continued tuning up for the postseason by pulling away in the second half to beat Toronto. James Johnson scored 18 points, Alan Anderson added 15 and DeMar DeRozan had 12 for Toronto. 76ers 103, Cavaliers 87: Jrue Holiday made five three-pointers and scored 19 of his 24 points in the third quarter as Philadelphia kept its hold on a playoff spot with a win over Cleveland. Knicks 104, Nets 95: Carmelo Anthony scored 21 of his 33 points in the first quarter, and New York won in its last trip to New Jersey. Tyson Chandler added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks. Gerald Wallace scored 21 points for the Nets. Spurs 127, Kings 102: Tiago Splitter and Gary Neal scored 17 points each, leading San Antonio over Sacramento for its fifth straight win. Other results: Hawks 116, Pistons 84; Wizards 121, Bucks 112: Jordan Crawford equaled a sea; Lakers 99, Warriors 87; Celtics 102, Magic 98; Clippers 104, Nuggets 98; Thunder 109, Suns 97.
