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Kings looking like tough playoff opponent

(AP)
Updated: 2006-04-07 08:50

Speedy Claxton led the Hornets with 21 points and each of the team's five starters reached double figures.

Jason Richardson led Golden State with 24 points. The Warriors have lost six in a row for the first time this season.

Clippers 119, Suns 105

At Phoenix, Elton Brand had 34 points and 15 rebounds, and Corey Maggette added 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers, who are five games behind the Pacific-leading Suns with eight to play. Seven Los Angeles players scored in double figures.

Boris Diaw scored 24 for the Suns, who could have all but locked up the division title with a win.

The Suns' Leandro Barbosa was in a hospital emergency room on IVs for four hours Monday night and underwent a spinal tap to test for meningitis. It was diagnosed as the flu and he played 31 minutes Wednesday night, scoring 19 points.

For the first time, the Suns played knowing for sure they won't have Amare Stoudemire this season. The All-Star forward, who missed the first 66 games following an operation on his left knee, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Wednesday morning.

Bulls 99, 76ers 92

At Philadelphia, Andre Nocioni scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and Ben Gordon had 21 points to lead Chicago past Philadelphia in the East standings. Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich both scored 14 points and Tyson Chandler grabbed 15 rebounds for the Bulls, who moved into the eighth and final playoff spot. The Bulls (35-40) have a half-game lead on the slumping Sixers (34-40).

The Bulls have won four straight and six of seven. The Sixers have gone into a nosedive, losing 12 of their last 16 games.

Allen Iverson scored 26 points, and Chris Webber had 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Sixers.