Heat down Bulls, tighten East race

Miami — The Miami Heat beat the Chicago Bulls, 83-72 in a bad-tempered clash on Thursday, tightening the race for the top -seed in the NBA Eastern Conference.

LeBron James had 27 points and 11 rebounds while Dwyane Wade scored 18 points for Miami in a scuffle-filled game.

The Heat held the Bulls to a season-low point total and moved within 1-1/2 games of Chicago, which leads the East.

John Lucas scored 16 points for Chicago, which was again without reigning MVP Derrick Rose because of injuries.

The teams combined for four technicals, two flagrant fouls and Miami reserve James Jones was ejected.

Chicago has games against Dallas, Indiana and Cleveland left, while Miami will playWashington twice, as well as Houston and Boston.

Suns 93,

Clippers 90

In Phoenix, Steve Nash hit a crucial driving layup, then made two free throws for the deciding points as Phoenix bolstered its playoff hopes with victory over Los Angeles.

There were 24 lead changes before the Suns recorded their 10th straight win over the Clippers in Phoenix.

Jared Dudley scored 18 points for the Suns, who moved into a tie with Utah for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Pacers 118,

Bucks 109

In Indianapolis, Indiana beat Milwaukee to clinch homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Danny Granger scored 29 points and George Hill had 22 points and eight assists for the Pacers, who won their seventh straight and passed 100 points for the 12th time in 13 games.

Hornets 105, Rockets 99, OT

In New Orleans, the hosts won in overtime to further dent Houston’s playoff hopes, inflicting the Rockets’ sixth straight loss.

Eric Gordon scored 27 points and Carl Landry had 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets, who went on a 9-0 run in overtime to take control.

Timberwolves 91, Pistons 80

In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Minnesota ended an 11-game losing skid by beating Detroit./ap