Rockets, Suns land berths

BEIJING, April 8 -- The Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets both clinched playoff berths, though neither was likely in much of a celebratory mood.

Rookie reserve Aaron Brooks scored 18 points, and five teammates reached double figures in Houston's 105-79 victory over the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. The Rockets, who won their third straight, are fifth in the tight Western Conference but trail first-place New Orleans by only 2 1/2 games.

"We knew we were going to make the playoffs," Houston star Tracy McGrady said. "What are we going to do when we get there? Clinching is pretty good, but it's not what we want to celebrate."

At least the Rockets won their game.

Dirk Nowitzki scored 32 points and the Dallas Mavericks rallied from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Suns 105-98.

"Everything was good and for whatever reason, the lights went out, and we couldn't get back in it," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said.

The Suns, outscored 27-9 in the fourth quarter, still clinched a playoff spot when Golden State and Denver both lost.

In the other National Basketball Association games on Sunday, it was: SuperSonics 151, Nuggets 147 (in double overtime); Hornets 108, Warriors 94; Pistons 91, Heat 75; Pacers 105, Brewers 97; Spurs 72, Trail Blazers 65; Grizzlies 113, Timberwolves 101; Knicks 100, Magic 90; and Lakers 114, Kings 92.

In Los Angeles, rookie Luis Scola scored 16 points, Luther Head added 15, McGrady had 13 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, Bobby Jackson had 12 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Shane Battier scored 11 for the Rockets, who shot 48.1 percent and outrebounded the Clippers 51-33.

Houston's Rafer Alston, averaging 13.2 points and 5.4 assists, missed his third game due to a sore left hamstring. But the Rockets got exceptional play from Jackson and Brooks, his replacements at point guard. "We expect them to come out and fill the void," Alston said. "That's the type of team we have. Both of them did the job tonight. Bobby started it off, and Aaron was phenomenal."

Josh Powell had a career-high 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers (23-54), who have lost 21 of their past 25 games.

Elton Brand, playing just his third game of the season, had 19 points and eight rebounds in 36 minutes, and Cuttino Mobley added 11 points for slumping Los Angeles.

The Rockets led 62-42 at halftime and finished with a 58-41 rebounding edge.

In Phoenix, Josh Howard had 24 points and Brandon Bass 19 for the Mavericks, who used a smothering defense in a 16-0 run that put them ahead for good in a game the Suns had led nearly throughout. Phoenix went scoreless for just under eight minutes, missing 12 shots.

Nowitzki, in his third game back since missing four with a sprained left knee and ankle, scored 12 points in the fourth quarter.

The win lifted Dallas two games ahead of Denver and Golden State, who are tied for eighth in the Western Conference, with five to play.

Amare Stoudemire had 31 points for the Suns, who were 3-for-19 from the field in the fourth. Steve Nash had 14 points and 10 assists.

Shaquille O'Neal had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Suns, whose season-best home winning streak ended at seven games.

(Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies)