Rose, a leading candidate for the league’s Most Valuable Player Award, gives first-year coach Tom Thibodeau all the credit.
“Tibbs, man, is the coach of the year to me,’’ he said of the former longtime Celtics assistant. “He’s been honest, holding everyone accountable, every time we step on the court.’’
J.J. Hickson led Cleveland with 22 points and 15 rebounds. Daniel Gibson scored 14 points while Ramon Sessions added 13.
Grizzlies 101, Kings 96 — Zach Randolph had 27 points and 15 rebounds and host Memphis clinched the Western Conference’s final playoff spot with a win over Sacramento.
Randolph’s two free throws with 4.8 seconds left sealed the victory for the Grizzlies, who head to the postseason for the first time since the 2005-06 season. The victory eliminated Houston from the playoff chase.
Thunder 104, Nuggets 89 — Kevin Durant scored 28 points, Russell Westbrook added 17, and Oklahoma City beat visiting Denver for its second win this week over its potential first-round playoff opponent.
Nene had 18 points and nine rebounds to lead the Nuggets and also got into a confrontation with the Thunder’s Kendrick Perkins for the second time in as many games. Perkins ended up with Nene nearly in a headlock after fouling him midway through the fourth quarter, and Nene responded by shoving Perkins to get out of it. Both got whistled for technical fouls.
Knicks 116, Nets 93 — Carmelo Anthony had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and New York ended a franchise-worst streak of nine straight losing seasons by beating host New Jersey for its sixth consecutive victory.
Chauncey Billups added 22 points for the Knicks, who played without Amar’e Stoudemire (sprained left ankle) but didn’t need him against a Nets team that was playing without injured starters Deron Williams and Kris Humphries. New York remained in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and completed its first season sweep of the Nets since the shortened 1999 season.
