Washington ? Rookie J.R. Bremer’s three-pointer put Michael Jordan one game away from an early third retirement. Bremer, coming off the bench after 40 straight games as a starter, scored 20 points and hit the winning three-pointer with 19.4 seconds to play Wednesday night as the Boston Celtics clinched a playoff berth with an 87-83 victory over the Washington Wizards.

“It was definitely the biggest shot of my NBA career,” said Bremer, who was 8-of-11 from the field. “In shootaround today, it felt good. And when I came and shot before the game, it felt good. So when I knocked down my first shot, I knew it was going to be a big night for me.”

The loss put the Wizards 21/2 games behind eighth-place Milwaukee. One more Bucks win or one more Wizards loss will eliminate Washington.

Antoine Walker scored 24 for the Celtics, and Paul Pierce had 20, but it was Bremer who made the difference.

“We did everything we could to keep their big two out, and he stepped in and hurt us,” said Jordan, who led Washington with 21 points.

Boston coach Jim O’Brien said he started Tony Delk because Bremer had hit the rookie wall.

“I thought that he’d been playing without his usual concentration,” O’Brien said. “And we took him out of the starting lineup, and he responded in a very professional way — came out and gave us a big game.”

The Wizards lost on retro night, spoiling the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the franchise’s lone NBA championship.

Suns 112, Mavericks 89

Phoenix — Penny Hardway recorded his first triple-double in 11/2 years and Shawn Marion had 31 points and 15 rebounds as Phoenix defeated Dallas. Hardaway had 10 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds.

Jazz 94, Rockets 73

Salt Lake City — Matt Harpring scored 23 points and pulled down eight rebounds and Andrei Kirilenko had 15 points and three blocks as Utah snapped a three-game losing streak.

Hawks 97, Nets 92

Atlanta — Ira Newble hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 1:38 left and Atlanta held off a furious rally to beat New Jersey.

Magic 88, Raptors 82

Orlando, Fla. — Tracy McGrady scored 37 points and had a spectacular two-handed dunk to help Orlando snap a four-game losing streak. McGrady shot 11-of-18 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range.

Bucks 112, Clippers 92

Milwaukee — Toni Kukoc scored 26 points, tying his season high, and had 10 rebounds, leading Milwaukee past Los Angeles.

Pistons 111, Bulls 102, OT

Auburn Hills, Mich. — Chauncey Billups scored 12 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to help Detroit end a four-game losing streak.

Hornets 100, Cavaliers 81

New Orleans — Jamal Mashburn scored 28 points as New Orleans defeated Cleveland and maintained its tenuous hold on the fifth playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.

Spurs 84, Trail Blazers 79

San Antonio — San Antonio won its 10th straight game, fending off a strong second-half rally by Portland.

Sonics 100, Timberwolves 92

Seattle — Ray Allen scored 33 points and Rashard Lewis had 19 as Seattle stayed alive for a playoff berth. Vladimir Radmanovic scored 12 points.