NBA Roundup: ‘Big Three’ spark Bucks in 105-89 win

? The “Big Three” finally lived up to their billing and just in time.

Behind 24 points from a gimpy Sam Cassell, 23 from Ray Allen and 22 from Glenn Robinson, the Milwaukee Bucks routed the Toronto Raptors 105-89 Tuesday night.

It was the first time in 25 games that the trio surpassed 20 points apiece.

“It’s been a while,” said Allen, who suggested that for the first time in months coach George Karl could concentrate on coaching and not on who’s hurt, who’s hot and who’s not meshing with whom.

“He just sat there and drew up plays for all of us.”

Anthony Mason chipped in 18 points for the Bucks, who inched closer to a playoff berth while preventing the Raptors from clinching a postseason spot.

“We’ve got one more,” Karl said. “There’s not a lot of celebration tonight. There’s got to be preparation and rest.”

The Bucks, Raptors and Indiana Pacers are all 41-40 and fighting for the final two playoff berths heading into tonight’s season finales. Milwaukee owns the tiebreaker over both Toronto and Indiana.

Pacers 99, Cavaliers 95

Cleveland Needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Pacers got 34 points from Jermaine O’Neal and held on for their fourth straight victory. Andre Miller scored 21 points and Zydrunas Ilgauskas 20 for the Cavs.

Wizards 116, Knicks 112

Washington Courtney Alexander scored 20 points and Tyrone Nesby had 18 as the Wizards finished 37-45, nearly doubling the number of wins from the 19-63 season a year ago.

Hornets 88, Heat 81

Miami Jamal Mashburn scored 23 points and sparked a fourth-quarter rally as Charlotte overcome an 11-point deficit. The Hornets pulled even with Philadelphia for the fifth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Magic 102, Hawks 95

Atlanta Monty Williams scored a season-high 23 points and Troy Hudson added 18 as the Magic snapped a three-game losing streak. A victory over Miami on today in Orlando would give the Magic the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Pistons 103, Nets 98

East Rutherford, N.J. Chucky Atkins scored 21 points and Detroit clinched the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.

Spurs 95, Suns 71

San Antonio Tim Duncan scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Spurs to the verge of the Midwest Division title. The win improved San Antonio’s record to 57-24 and kept the team on pace to finish atop its division, which would ensure the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.

Mavericks 96, Jazz 87

Dallas Michael Finley scored 35 points and Dirk Nowitzki returned from a four-game absence to add 24, taking the Mavs’ bid to win the Midwest Division to the final day of the season. Because San Antonio holds the tiebreaker, Dallas must win its finale tonight against Phoenix and the Spurs must lose to the Jazz.

Nuggets 101, Rockets 70

Denver James Posey had 26 points to lead six players in double figures for Denver.

Kings 120, Warriors 106

Sacramento, Calif. Lawrence Funderburke made his first nine shots and scored a career-high 29 points.

Clippers 92, Grizzlies 84

Los Angeles Michael Olowokandi scored 25 points and Los Angeles snapped a three-game losing streak. The Clippers completed their home schedule with a 25-16 record.