Deng buzzer-beater lifts Bulls past Raptors

Luol Deng hit a follow-up shot at the buzzer in overtime and the Chicago Bulls beat the Toronto Raptors 102-101 on Saturday night to clinch a playoff spot with their NBA-leading 40th victory. Chicago’s C.J. Watson drove for the basket and Toronto’s James Johnson blocked the attempt, but Deng got the ball and put it in the basket — a play officials reviewed to make sure it was in before the buzzer. Carlos Boozer had 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulls, Deng added 23 points and 10 rebounds, and Watson had 23 points. Johnson, a former Chicago player, scored 20 points for Toronto. Jose Calderon also had 20 points and 10 assists, and Gary Forbes had 12 points and 13 rebounds for the Raptors, but missed two free throws with 6.4 seconds left in overtime. Knicks 101 Pistons 79: In New York,  Tyson Chandler had 15 points and tied a season high with 17 rebounds, and New York rebounded from its first loss under Mike Woodson to rout Detroit for the third time this season. Amare Stoudemire scored 17 points for the Knicks, who are 6-1 since Mike D’Antoni resigned. They lost 96-79 on Friday night in Toronto, but had no trouble with Detroit for the third time in three meetings this season. Carmelo Anthony finally got his shot to fall in the third quarter and finished with 15 points, while Jeremy Lin had 13. The bench put it away early in the fourth, allowing some banged-up Knicks to get some extra rest. Clippers 101 Grizzlies 85: In Los Angeles, Blake Griffin had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Chris Paul added 19 points and 13 assists, and Los Angeles beat Memphis to end its first three-game losing streak of the season. Randy Foye had 18 points to help the Clippers, playing the first of five home games in eight days, move within three games of the Lakers for the Pacific Division lead. Zach Randolph had 14 points and eight rebounds for Memphis. The Grizzlies have lost six of eight after an 11-2 stretch. Spurs 89 Hornets 86: In New Orleans,  DeJuan Blair scored 23 points and Tim Duncan had four key points down the stretch in the San Antonio’s victory over short-handed New Orleans., The Spurs, chasing Oklahoma City for the best record in the Western Conference, trailed by a point twice in the final 2 minutes. Duncan responded each time, atoning for a lackluster game by making two free throws and tipping in a missed shot with 1:19 left to give San Antonio the lead for good.   Hawks 95  Wizards 92: In Washington,  Joe Johnson scored nine of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, including a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute, and Atlanta erased a 16-point deficit to beat Washington. Josh Smith added 20 points and nine rebounds to help the Hawks win their third consecutive game. Nene led the Wizards with 21 points and 11 rebounds for his 80th career double-double, and Jordan Crawford scored 20 points. Washington’s John Wall missed a potential tying 3-pointer right before the buzzer. Mavericks 101 Rockets 99, OT: In Houston, Dirk Nowitzki scored 31 points, Jason Terry added 24 and Brandan Wright had a career-high seven blocks in Dallas’ overtime victory over Houston. Shawn Marion had 12 points and a season-high 15 rebounds to help the Mavericks beat Houston for the fifth straight time. Goran Dragic scored 24 points, and Luis Scola added 19 for the Rockets. The game had 17 lead changes, 15 ties and a louder-than-usual crowd with the in-state rival in town. Pacers 125 Bucks 104: In Milwaukee,  George Hill scored a season-high 24 points in Indiana’s victory over Milwaukee. Roy Hibbert added 16 points and nine rebounds to help the Pacers rebound from a home loss to Phoenix. Ersan Ilyasova had 22 points and eight rebounds for the Bucks. Monta Ellis, Milwaukee’s recent trade acquisition, scored 11 points, struggling after scoring nine in the first quarter. Warriors 111 Kings 108: In Oakland, California, David Lee had 22 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists and rookie Klay Thompson scored a career-best 31 points to lead short-handed Golden State past Sacramento. Two turnovers by the Kings and another by the Warriors in the final minute finished off a sloppy game and handed Golden State the season series 3-1 in the Northern California rivalry. Nets 102  Bobcats 89: In Newark, New Jersey, Deron Williams had 19 points and matched his season high with 14 assists and New Jersey beat Charlotte to snap a five-game losing streak. Kris Humphries added 20 points and 16 rebounds, and former Bobcat Gerald Wallace had 15 points to help the Nets sweep the four-game season series with the woeful Bobcats.