N.B.A. Today

Scores, standings, news, and rumors are all here and now on Today.

Last Night
-Six late Peja Stojakovic points led New Orleans past Orlando 98-97 to keep the top spot in the west. Chris Paul led 5 players in double figures for the Hornets with 19 points and 12 dimes, and David West had 18 points and 12 boards. Hedo Turkoglu led the Magic with 26, who are pretty much entrenched as the 3rd seed in the east.
-Philadelphia dealt New Jersey a tough blow to their playoff hopes with a 108-99 win at the Izod Center. Andre Miller led the Sixers with 24 points and 11 assists while Vince Carter had 29 in the Nets loss. New Jersey is now 3.5 games behind Atlanta for the final playoff spot. It doesn't look good with 7 games left. The Sixers are in 7th place, a half game out of the 6th spot.
-Milwaukee continued the Knicks' woes, defeating them 119-115 in OT. Michael Redd had 36 to lead all scorers, while Quentin Richardson paced New York with 22.
-Detroit will likely finish with the east's 2nd seed barring a Boston collapse after the Pistons won in Minnesota 94-90 behind 27 from rookie Rodney Stuckey. Al Jefferson had 26 in the Wolves loss as they fell to 19-54.
-Chicago can now be counted out of the playoff picture after a 104-92 home loss to the Celtics. Ray Allen had 22 for Boston, while Kevin Garnett had 20 in the win. Tyrus Thomas led all scorers with 24.
-San Antonio remains tied atop the west as they defeated Golden State 116-92 at the AT&T Center. Tony Parker led all scorers with 26 for the Spurs who are percentage points behind New Orleans. Baron Davis had 19 for the Warriors, who sit a half game behind Denver for 8th in the west and just a full game shy of Dallas for the 7th position.
-Denver stayed on the right side of the playoff picture after a 126-120 win over Phoenix at the Pepsi Center. Allen Iverson led the Nuggets with 31 as Carmelo Anthony had 25 in the win. The Suns were led by Leandro Barbosa's 27, and stand in 5th position a half game clear of Houston who is in 6th and a half game behind the 3rd place Lakers in the division race.
-Houston remains in 6th after losing a tough 99-98 decision in Sacramento. Ron Artest had 30 ti lead the Kings, while Tracy McGrady led all scorers with 32 for the Rockets.

News & Rumors
-The Memphis Commerical Appeal reports that the Grizzlies could fire head coach Marc Iavaroni after just one season on the job.
-Despite the Hawks being in the 8th spot in the east playoffs for now, head coach Mike Woodson and GM Billy Knight may not be safe, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
-Sam Vincent is safe in Charlotte, says their local Observer.
-Bobby Jones suited up and played for the Spurs last night, making that the 5th team he's played for this season. That, folks is an NBA record.
-Ron Artest probably won't leave Sacramento after this season, DeSagana Diop remains happy as a Net, and Zach Randolph wouldn't be shocked if he were traded this summer. (Sacramento Bee, Newark Star-Ledger, Newsday)
-Eric Gordon will decide Friday if he will declare for the NBA Draft, says the Indianapolis Star.
-The Knicks will announce Donnie Walsh as their new president today. This confirms the rumors that the franchise really is on a 7 day delay from the rest of the world.

Wednesday Notables
Indiana remains 3 games out of the final spot in the east, they need a win in Botson (7pm ESPN) to stay in it. The Celtics can clinch the top spot in the conference with a win. Atlanta will host Toronto at the same time. Golden State can tie Dallas this evening for the 7th spot in the west (9:30pm ESPN) and perhaps push Denver out of the playoffs altogether.