Hawks boost playoff hopes

Atlanta — The host Atlanta took a stride toward securing homecourt advantage in the playoffs by beating undermanned Boston, 97-92 in the NBA yesterday.

Joe Johnson scored 30 points while Josh Smith had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Hawks, who are in line to be the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, with Celtics No. 5.

This game, however, looked nothing like a playoff game early. Both teams shot over 50 percent and Atlanta took a 58-49 halftime lead while Boston guard Avery Bradley scored 17 of his career-high 28 points.

Boston left Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and Mickael Pietrus at home with injuries, and perennial All-Stars Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce were rested, having played 11 games in 15 days.

Spurs 121,
Lakers 97

In  San Antonio, the  Spurs routed the Los Angeles   with the Lakers receiving no boost from the return of Kobe Bryant from injury.

Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili all scored at least 20 points for the Spurs, who stayed top of the Western Conference with their sixth straight victory.

Bryant had missed the previous seven games with a bruised left shin, and the Lakers went 5-2 without the NBA’s scoring leader. Los Angeles missed a chance to clinch home court advantage in the first round of playoffs.

San Antonio has given Los Angeles its two worst losses of the season, the worst Friday night and 112-91 on Tuesday.

Thunder  103, Kings 92

In Sacramento, Kevin Durant had 29 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists to lead Oklahoma City over Sacramento.

Oklahoma City remained half a game behind San Antonio in the race for top spot in the West, with three games remaining.

Mavs 104,
Warriors  94

In Dallas, Vince Carter had 19 points, including eight straight early in the fourth quarter that propelled Dallas to victory over Golden State.

It was the last regular season home game for the defending NBA champions, who clinched a playoff spot the previous night without even playing. OTHER RESULTS: Cavs 98, Knicks 90; Grizzlies 85, Bobcats  80. /ap