The Portland Trail Blazers extended their impressive home winning streak over Los Angeles by beating the Lakers 106-98 in the NBA on Friday. Brandon Roy had 24 points and eight assists for the Trail Blazers, who have won eight in a row over the Lakers at home. Kobe Bryant scored 32 points for the Lakers, but missed a key 3-pointer, had a crucial turnover and missed a jump shot in the final minute. The Lakers played without coach Phil Jackson, who didn't travel with the team because of pain in his lower right leg, and fell 1-1/2 games behind Cleveland for the best record in the NBA and home-court advantage throughout the postseason. Cavaliers 102, 76ers 92: In Philadelphia, Cleveland clinched the No. 1 playoff seed and home-court advantage in the NBA's Eastern Conference playoffs by beating Philadelphia. LeBron James had 27 points and 10 assists and Wally Szczerbiak scored a season-high 18 for the Cavaliers. Their homecourt advantage in the playoffs is significant given their record there this season is 38-1. The Sixers have lost four straight since clinching a playoff berth. Celtics 105, Heat 98: In Boston, Paul Pierce scored 21 of his 28 points in the second half, including the go-ahead late free throws, to lead Boston over Miami. The Heat tied the game 95-95 with just under two minutes left, but Boston scored the next eight points to pull away. Spurs 105, Jazz 99: In San Antonio, the hosts won to bury Utah further back in the playoff race. The Jazz have lost five of six and slipped closer to having to face the dominant Lakers in the first round. Utah has just three games left to climb out of the No. 8 seed and secure a more favorable matchup. Utah has not won in San Antonio since 1999, a streak spanning 23 games. Mavericks 100, Hornets 92: In Dallas, the hosts beat New Orleans, leaving the teams tied for sixth seed in the Western Conference. Knicks 105, Magic 95: In Orlando, Florida, New York dealt a crushing blow to Orlando's hopes of getting the Eastern Conference's second seed. Other results: Rockets 113, Warriors 109; Hawks 122, Pacers 118; Pistons 100, Nets 93; Grizzlies 106, Suns 89; Thunder 84, Bobcats 81; Clippers 109, Kings 78.
