The Associated Press

Michael Jordan is no longer on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff race. Jordan had 26 points and 10 rebounds, hitting three straight baskets in a key stretch of the fourth quarter as the Washington Wizards beat Seattle 80-74 on Wednesday night.

Jordan's team has overtaken the Milwaukee Bucks in the race for eighth place in the East thanks to road victories on consecutive nights against Portland and the SuperSonics.

"I would love to taste the playoffs one more time," Jordan said.

Jerry Stackhouse scored 20 points, including a putback that all sealed the win with 16 seconds remaining. He drove and passed to Bobby Simmons, who missed a layup, but Stackhouse was there for the putback to give the Wizards a 76-72 lead.

The victory moved Washington a half-game ahead of Milwaukee for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks lost 108-103 at Denver.

Elsewhere, Philadelphia defeated Indiana 91-85, the Los Angeles Lakers downed Houston 96-93, New Jersey topped New York 101-95, Detroit edged Atlanta 102-99 in overtime, Dallas beat the Los Angeles Clippers 114-107, Phoenix topped Memphis 101-99, Orlando rallied past New Orleans 97-95, Golden State defeated Boston 107-95, Utah downed Portland 94-85, Chicago beat Miami 82-74, and Toronto topped Cleveland 89-83.

The Wizards have some work remaining to reach the postseason, but it's possible if Jordan can conquer his soreness. On Tuesday night, he scored 25 points and played 41 minutes in a victory in Portland.

"I feel 40 right now. I'm sore," said Jordan, who played 44 minutes against the Sonics. "I'm feeling the back-to-back. It's going to be a good day off tomorrow."

The Wizards made their fourth stop on a six-game road swing, a farewell tour for Jordan as he closes out the final month of his peerless NBA career. Every introduction brings thunderous applause; every shot is documented by popping flashbulbs.

"It's very gratifying to me that they've paid attention to what I've done," Jordan said. "They want their teams to win, but they also want to see me score 50 points. It's a great measure of respect. I love it."

The audience at courtside this time included former Boston Celtics superstar Bill Russell. He saw Jordan hit three baskets down the stretch, extending a 67-65 lead to 73-67 with 1:45 to play.

Nuggets 108, Bucks 103

At Denver, Shammond Williams hit a driving layup with 24 seconds left, Rodney White added two free throws and Denver held off Milwaukee.

Juwan Howard had 25 points and 11 rebounds for Denver, which built a 20-point lead late in the third quarter but saw it reduced to two with 3:04 left. Michael Redd fueled the Bucks' fourth-quarter comeback, scoring 22 of his 27 points in the final period.

"We're OK," Milwaukee coach George Karl said. "We have to win the rest of our home games and steal a game or two on the road. We'll be fine."

76ers 91, Pacers 85

At Indianapolis, Allen Iverson had 22 points and 10 assists and Philadelphia missed only four shots in the fourth quarter.

The Sixers received strong fourth quarters from Iverson, Keith Van Horn and Eric Snow to come back from a five-point deficit at the end of the third. Derrick Coleman finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Snow added 18 points.

Nets 101, Knicks 95

At East Rutherford, N.J., Kerry Kittles' go-ahead 3-pointer with 5:43 to go ignited a 14-2 spurt that carried the Nets.

Kenyon Martin had 24 points, Kittles 23 and Jason Kidd added 17 points, nine rebounds and eight assists as the Nets remained a half-game ahead of Philadelphia for first place in the Atlantic Division.

Pistons 102, Hawks 99, OT

At Auburn Hills, Mich., Chauncey Billups' 3-pointer with a tenth of a second left in overtime gave Detroit a come-from-behind victory after the Hawks blew two large fourth-quarter leads.

Richard Hamilton led the Pistons with 27 points while Billups had 23 and rookie Mehmet Okur scored 16 - all in the fourth quarter.

Mavericks 114, Clippers 107

At Los Angeles, Dirk Nowitzki scored eight of his 27 points in the final 1:16, and Nick Van Exel added 29 points as Dallas improved the NBA's best record to 54-17.

Suns 101, Grizzlies 99

At Memphis, Tenn., Stephon Marbury scored 23 points, including an 18-footer and a free throw with 1.2 seconds left after Shawn Marion grabbed an offensive rebound.

Magic 97, Hornets 95

At New Orleans, Tracy McGrady scored 41 points and blocked Jamal Mashburn's jump shot with six seconds left to complete a comeback from a 20-point deficit. Mashburn led New Orleans with 40 points.

Warriors 107, Celtics 95

At Boston, Jason Richardson scored 31 points and Golden State broke open a close game early in the fourth quarter to hand the Celtics their season-high sixth straight loss.

Jazz 94, Trail Blazers 85

At Salt Lake City, Karl Malone scored 24 points and John Stockton had 10 assists on his 41st birthday as Utah extended its winning streak to five games. The Jazz guaranteed an 18th straight winning season, while Portland lost its third in a row.

Bulls 82, Heat 74

At Chicago, Jalen Rose scored 19 points and Tyson Chandler had 16 rebounds to help the Bulls win their fourth straight home game.

Raptors 89, Cavaliers 83

At Toronto, Morris Peterson scored 14 of his 21 points in the second half as the Raptors ended a three-game losing skid.