PLAY OF THE DAY

SHOOTING STUDS

Jermaine O'Neal, Pacers
92-91 loss (OT) at Bobcats
30 pts, 13-21 FG, 4-5 FT

Shane Battier, Grizzlies
93-81 win at Rockets
19 pts, 8-11 FG,
2-4 3-pt FG, 1-2 FT

Kenny Thomas, Kings
100-82 win at Nuggets
18 pts, 9-11 FG

SHOOTING DUDS

Monta Ellis, Warriors
86-81 win at Blazers
3-16 FG, 0-5 3-pt FG, 11 pts
Anthony Johnson, Pacers
92-91 loss (OT) at Bobcats
3-13 FG, 1-5 3-pt FG
1-4 FT, 8 pts

Ron Artest, Kings
100-82 win at Nuggets
3-13 FG, 7 pts

STAT SHEET STUFFER

The Hawks will be home watching the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season, but the future definitely looks bright in Atlanta with a talented and athletic core. Leading that group is swingman Josh Smith, who dropped a career-high 28 points, grabbed seven boards and dished out seven assists in the Hawks' 120-114 win at Milwaukee. Smith's performance helped Atlanta end an 11-game road losing streak. "I told Josh early this season, he has the chance to be really good with the way he can change a game defensively," Hawks guard Tyronn Lue said. "Just getting a better work ethic is a big thing for our young guys."

RICK KAMLA'S FANTASY TAKE

With the season winding down, rookies really get to play major minutes and Ike Diogu has certainly been earning his court time. Ike was in double figures for the fifth straight game, putting up 15 points and eight rebounds in Golden State's win.

D-LEAGUE STAR OF THE NIGHT

It's one thing to perform well during the regular season, but taking your game to another level in the postseason is the best way to stand out. Tierre Brown turned in a brilliant performance in leading Albuquerque to an 80-71 home win over Florida in the D-League playoffs. Brown recorded the first triple-double in D-League playoff history, tallying 23 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists. “Tierre really stepped up today. He played a great game as did our entire team," T-Birds coach Michael Cooper said. With the win, the Thunderbirds advanced to the D-League championship where they will face Forth Worth on April 22.

GAME OF THE NIGHT

Maybe the NBA can go to nine playoff teams in the Eastern Conference, or perhaps a play-in game like the NCAA tournament. Anything so that the Orlando Magic's season doesn't end on Wednesday. The league's hottest team pulled out a thrilling 102-97 victory over Philadelphia, using a game-ending 10-2 run to keep their slim playoff hopes alive with their eighth straight win overall and 12th in a row at home. Dwight Howard had a ridiculous game with 28 points and an NBA-season-high 26 rebounds, while Allen Iverson poured in 36 points for the Sixers. In a back-and-forth affair where neither team had no more than a three-point lead for most of the fourth quarter, the Magic took the lead for good at 96-95 on Howard's hook shot with 2:59 left. Jameer Nelson sank a jumper 35 seconds later to extend Orlando's advantage before Andre Iguodala's driving layup with 2:07 to play made it a one-point game. A layup by Nelson with 1:47 remaining restored the Magic's three-point edge. "It's a shame that I had to coach this game. I would have liked to be sitting in the stands watching it," Magic coach Brian Hill said.

QUOTE OF THE NIGHT

"You can't try to position yourself by winning or losing. Mess with the basketball gods, they always come back and punish you."

-- Grizzlies forward Shane Battier describing his team's plan to continue winning despite some saying they would be better off finishing sixth in the West and facing Denver in the first round.

STORYLINES OF THE NIGHT

1. Howard The Monster
"It's scary because he's only going to get better." That was Magic guard Jameer Nelson referring to teammate Dwight Howard. Nelson is right, it is scary how good Howard could be. In fact, it's downright frightening. Friday the 13th, Halloween and The Exorcist all rolled into one. Howard was off the charts on Saturday, scoring 28 points and pulling down a career-best and NBA-season-high 26 rebounds in Orlando's eighth straight win, 102-97 over visiting Philadelphia. At just 20 years old, Howard became the youngest player in NBA history with 25 points and 25 boards in a single game. He needs 42 rebounds in his final two games to surpass Kevin Garnett for the rebounding title. For everything he did well on Saturday, Howard would've had an absolutely mind-boggling performance if he only shot better from the free-throw line as he connected on only 10-of-19 from the stripe. "What would have been huge tonight is if I'd have hit more of my free throws," Howard said. "I would have kept some distance between us and them."

2. With a Little Help
It was very simple for the Pacers and Bucks: win on Saturday and both would have their tickets punched for the playoffs. Things didn't quite work out as planned since each lost to lesser teams, but because Philadelphia lost at Orlando, Indiana and Milwaukee clinched playoff berths anyway. Indiana began the day in fifth place, but a 92-91 overtime defeat at Charlotte dropped the Pacers into a sixth-place tie with the Bucks, who were 120-114 losers to the Hawks. Although they were idle on Saturday, the Wizards had a fairly productive day. Washington, which has lost five straight, moved back into sole possession of fifth place, but has not yet secured a playoff spot. The Bucks can earn the fifth seed if they win all their remaining games - home against Detroit on Monday and at Washington on Tuesday. Indiana will be part of the playoffs for the ninth straight season, but needs to win its final two games to avoid its first sub-.500 campaign since 1996-97. "I wish we were celebrating making the playoffs," Bucks coach Terry Stotts said. "It was certainly disappointing losing a game like this, giving up the points we gave up."

COOL/CLUTCH PERFORMANCE

Missing leading scorer Gerald Wallace and guard Brevin Knight, the Bobcats needed someone to pick up the slack and Matt Carroll was there to answer the call. After failing to register a point on two missed shots in the first three quarters, the Notre Dame alum came to life in the fourth period, scoring all 15 of his points on 6-of-7 from the field. Carroll didn't score in overtime, but without his clutch shooting, the Bobcats would never have been in position to pull out a 92-91 victory over visiting Indiana.

SIXTH MAN OF THE NIGHT

Mike Miller is good enough to start on most teams, including his own Memphis Grizzlies. Still, coach Mike Fratello believes his squad is best served with Miller coming off the bench and it's hard to argue with the success Miller has had. Miller scored eight of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, finishing 10-of-14 from the field, including a pair of treys, in the Grizzlies' 93-81 win at Houston. "When you come off the bench you've got to get yourself involved as early as possible," Miller said. "It's easy when you come off not to be part of the game unless you get involved right away."

ROOKIE WATCH

It's been a relatively quiet rookie season for Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut, the top overall pick in last year's draft. While he has been overshadowed by Chris Paul, Bogut certainly has nothing to apologize for with season averages of 9.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. The 7-footer gave another glimpe of his very near future on Saturday, setting season highs with 24 points and seven assists, while shooting 10-of-13 from the field with 12 rebounds in the Bucks' 120-114 home loss to Atlanta.