NBA ROUNDUP : Hawks Win Showdown Over Knicks

Two more victories will give the Atlanta Hawks the best season in franchise history and the homecourt advantage through the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Despite scoring 13 points in the first quarter, Atlanta bounced back to defeat the New York Knicks, 87-84, Tuesday night behind Kevin Willis’ 23 points and 17 rebounds at New York.

The Hawks are one game in front of Chicago and 1 1/2 ahead of the Knicks with five days left in the regular season. New York has three games remaining, the Bulls and Hawks two each.

“We need to keep our intensity going,” Willis said of the Hawks’ games at Miami and home against Orlando. “It’s important to finish first, because you’re always more comfortable in your home environment.”

Patrick Ewing had 24 points and 15 rebounds and Charles Oakley 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks.

Orlando 132, Detroit 104--Isiah Thomas, the Pistons’ all-time leader in points, assists, steals and games played, suffered a torn Achilles’ tendon in what was probably the last game of his 13-season career in the Pistons’ loss to the Magic at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Thomas, who is expected to retire after this season, limped off the court with 1:37 left in the third quarter. After the game, Thomas said the injury would also keep him off of the U.S. team in the upcoming World Championships.

San Antonio 90, Houston 80--Negele Knight scored 11 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter to help the Spurs clinch homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a victory over the Rockets at San Antonio.

David Robinson led the Spurs with 22 points, while Dennis Rodman had 11 points and 21 rebounds. Hakeem Olajuwon paced Houston with 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Phoenix 122, Seattle 116--Charles Barkley took over the game in the final two minutes to lead the Suns to victory at Phoenix in the final regular-season meeting of the Pacific Division’s two top teams.

Barkley, who finished with 20 points and 17 rebounds, grabbed five rebounds and scored three points in the final two minutes for the Suns, who also got 29 points from Dan Majerle.

New Jersey 115, Philadelphia 110--Derrick Coleman had a triple double with 31 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as the Nets won their fourth game in a row with a victory at Philadelphia.

Kenny Anderson added 19 points and 11 assists, and Kevin Edwards and Armon Gilliam each scored 16 for the Nets. Jeff Malone had 26 and Clarence Weatherspoon 24 for Philadelphia.

Indiana 111, Washington 110--Reggie Miller scored 34 points, including a winning basket with 2.8 seconds left, as the Pacers defeated the Bullets at Landover, Md.

Utah 115, Sacramento 108--Karl Malone scored 30 points and Jeff Hornacek added 28 to lead the Jazz to a victory at Sacramento. Spud Webb scored 28 and Wayman Tisdale 23 for the Kings.

Miami 126, Minnesota 99--The Heat moved within one victory of clinching a playoff spot behind 32 points by Glen Rice in their victory over the Timberwolves at Miami.

Boston 120, Milwaukee 112--Ed Pinckney had a career-high 22 rebounds and a season-high 21 points, Robert Parrish added 25 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Celtics at Boston.