The Associated Press

TORONTO - Vince Carter scored 28 points as the Toronto Raptors beat New York 95-86 Sunday, hurting the Knicks' slim playoff hopes.

Allan Houston had 24 points for the Knicks, who have lost three straight and four of five. Latrell Sprewell scored just four points and was benched for the entire fourth quarter when the Knicks cut a 19-point deficit to four.

Nuggets 88, Wizards 72

DENVER - Shammond Williams scored eight straight Denver points early in the fourth quarter, helping produce a 13-point lead. The loss damaged the Wizards' playoff hopes, dropping them one-half game behind Milwaukee in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Pistons 99, Kings 88

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Detroit dominated when it mattered most, closing the game with a 15-1 run to defeat Sacramento. The Pistons, who have won five of seven, moved 11/2 games ahead of New Jersey for the best record in the conference, and maintained their 31/2-game lead over Indiana in the Central Division.

Mavs 119, Timberwolves 95

MINNEAPOLIS - Dirk Nowitzki scored 33 points in 34 minutes as the Mavericks beat the lethargic Timberwolves

Steve Nash had a season-high 15 assists to go with 14 points in three quarters, and reserve Nick Van Exel contributed 19 points and nine assists for the Mavericks.

Bucks 109, Heat 87

MILWAUKEE - Gary Payton had 24 points and Sam Cassell had 23 points and nine assists as Milwaukee snapped a three-game losing streak.

Pacers 92, Suns 81

INDIANAPOLIS - Jermaine O'Neal had 24 points and 11 rebounds and Ron Artest had 20 points as the Pacers rolled.

The Pacers have won two straight games after dropping 15 of 19 to fall into fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

SuperSonics 119, Lakers 98

SEATTLE - Ray Allen scored 32 points and Rashard Lewis returned from a one-game injury absence to score 24 for Seattle.

Spurs 92, Hornets 90

NEW ORLEANS - Tim Duncan had 33 points and 12 rebounds, including a clinching 3-pointer in the final minute, as San Antonio won their fifth straight. San Antonio remained two games behind Midwest Division-leading Dallas, while New Orleans fell 21/2 games behind Indiana for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Clippers 102, Grizzlies 100

LOS ANGELES - Corey Maggette scored six of his 18 points in the final 3:19 as Los Angeles snapped a four-game losing streak

NETS: Kenyon Martin did not sustain any structural damage to his right knee in a fall against the Golden State Warriors. The former Cincinnati Bearcats star underwent an MRI exam Sunday and the results were negative.