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NBA: Spurs Cinch Playoff Berth Following Victory Over Bobcats

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The San Antonio Spurs have become the first team in the National Basketball Association Western Conference to clinch a playoff spot after defeating the Charlotte Bobcats 93-76.

Tony Parker scored 24 points to lead the host Spurs to victory, and their eighth straight playoff berth. San Antonio leads the NBA with a record of 50 wins and 15 losses.

Earlier this week in the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat became the first team in the NBA to earn a playoff spot. Miami has the league's second best record at 51-16.

The Phoenix Suns in the West are next at 48-16, and are poised to become the next team to make the playoffs, despite falling 110-100 to the Golden State Warriors on Friday. Barron Davis led the visiting Warriors with 33 points.

Six players for the Boston Celtics scored in double figures as the team stretched its winning streak to six games with a 103-92 win in Houston over the Rockets.

The Seattle SuperSonics got 38 points from Ray Allen to snap a three-game home losing streak and beat the Orlando Magic, 98-90. Orlando has now dropped seven in a row as they struggle for a playoff spot.

In Indiana, Reggie Miller scored 39 points as the Pacers beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 95-90, and Allen Iverson of Philadelphia led his 76ers with 31 points in a 93-81 win over the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers.

Other NBA winners Friday were the Nets, Knicks, Grizzlies, Pistons, Bucks, Hornets and Nuggets.

The New Jersey Nets downed the Utah Jazz, 94-80, the New York Knicks kept their fading playoff hopes alive with a 106-92 victory over the last-place Atlanta Hawks. The Memphis Grizzlies edged the Minnesota Timberwolves, 88-83.

The defending champion Detroit Pistons extended their home winning streak to 11 games with a 103-92 win over the Toronto Raptors. The Milwaukee Bucks blew a 16-point lead but still topped the Washington Wizards, 99-90. The New Orleans Hornets improved their record on the road to just 4-28 with a 94-90 win over the Chicago Bulls, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Los Angeles Clippers, 115-96 for their 10th win in 11 games.

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