Cavaliers, Nets Set for Dramatic Finales

LeBron James and Robert Traylor made sure Cleveland has at least one more meaningful game, leading the desperate Cavaliers past the visiting Boston Celtics, 100-86, Tuesday night.

James had 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Traylor came off the bench to score a career-high 22 points for the Cavaliers (41-40), who are tied with New Jersey for the final playoff in the Eastern Conference but don’t own the tiebreaker.

The Cavaliers need a Celtic victory over the Nets tonight coupled with their own win at Toronto to make the playoffs.

New Jersey 109, Washington 101 -- Jason Kidd had a season-high 35 points to help the host Nets set up a regular-season finale in which they can earn a playoff spot with a win or a Cleveland loss. New Jersey could even get the No. 7 spot with a win and a Philadelphia loss to Atlanta tonight.

Chicago 92, New York 91 -- Ben Gordon made the winning 16-foot jumper with 5.8 seconds left to help the host Bulls clinch home-court advantage in their first-round playoff series against Washington.

Detroit 95, Atlanta 68 -- Tayshaun Prince had 20 points at Atlanta in the Pistons’ 11th straight victory.

Dallas 101, Seattle 96 -- Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points at Dallas to help the Mavericks win their eighth in a row and improve to 15-2 since Avery Johnson replaced Don Nelson as coach.

Denver 119, Portland 115 -- Carmelo Anthony had 36 points at Denver to help the Nuggets overcome Darius Miles’ career-high 47 points.

Miami 99, Charlotte 80 -- Rasual Butler had a career-high 25 points for the Heat at Miami.

Toronto 127, Milwaukee 109 -- Jalen Rose scored 29 points to lead the Raptors at Milwaukee.

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The NBA and its referees agreed on a plan to have a standby official at all playoff games, preventing a shortage because of injury. Last season, the league only had standby officials at the conference finals and championship series. Crews had to work with only two referees because of injury twice during the first two playoff rounds. ... The Toronto Raptors withdrew their application to play host to the 2008 All-Star game and will submit an application for the event in 2011. ... The Miami Heat put Shaquille O’Neal (bruised right thigh) on the injured list for the last two regular-season games, but he is expected to be ready for the playoffs.