Boston ? Paul Pierce wanted the ball, and the short-handed New Jersey Nets couldn’t stop him.

Pierce’s 34 points led Boston to a 102-93 win Friday night that put the Celtics in eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Despite the loss, the Nets clinched a playoff berth when Cleveland lost to Philadelphia.

The Nets couldn’t make up for the absence of Jason Kidd, on the injured list with a bone bruise in his left knee, and Kenyon Martin, out because of left knee tendinitis. They’re 1-3 since both were sidelined.

“I did a poor job,” New Jersey coach Lawrence Frank said. “We let Pierce control the game and that’s my fault. It had nothing to do with not having two players.”

Pierce hit 10 of 20 shots after going 13-for-40 in his previous two games, and sank 13 of 15 free throws.

“Paul had that look early in the game,” Boston interim coach John Carroll said. “He had that look I’ve seen on numerous occasions, like ‘just give me the ball.’ And the basket seems about three times as big as it usually does.”

Pierce had nine points in a 20-4 surge that increased Boston’s lead from 56-52 to 76-56 with 4:12 left in the third quarter.

“A playoff position is on the line. I’d come out strong whoever we play,” Pierce said. “Every time I looked up at the scoreboard and Cleveland was down, it gave me a sense of urgency.”

The Celtics moved a half-game ahead of Cleveland.

Lakers 90, Timberwolves 73

Los Angeles — Kobe Bryant scored 35 points and Shaquille O’Neal had 22 points and 18 rebounds to lead Los Angeles to its seventh consecutive victory. Los Angeles’ first win in four games against Minnesota this season moved the Lakers (49-23) ahead of the Timberwolves (49-24) for the Western Conference’s second-best record. The Lakers, with all four of their superstars healthy again, were coming off a 24-point victory over Sacramento on Wednesday. Los Angeles trails the Kings by two games.

Sonics 102, Nuggets 86

Seattle — Seattle gained ground in its improbable quest for the playoffs as Ray Allen scored 27 points in a win over Denver. It was the Sonics’ seventh straight victory and pulled them within three games of the Nuggets and Utah Jazz, who are tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference. Tenth-place Portland, which was idle, is only a half-game back.

Warriors 99, Wizards 78

Oakland, Calif. — Erick Dampier had 19 points and 21 rebounds and Golden State rolled to its sixth straight victory. Jason Richardson had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Warriors. Golden State is on its longest winning streak of the season, though it follows a nine-game losing streak that probably will keep the Warriors out of the playoffs for the 10th straight season.

Knicks 108, Raptors 101

New York — With three key players out because of injuries, Stephon Marbury had 38 points and nine assists to lead New York past Toronto.

76ers 86, Cavaliers 71

Philadelphia — John Salmons had a career-high 22 points in leading Philadelphia over Cleveland, keeping the Sixers’ once-fading playoff hopes alive. Kenny Thomas had 19 points and Eric Snow added 13 assists for the Sixers, who won their third straight game — all without injured All-Star Allen Iverson.

Heat 119, Mavericks 118, OT

Miami — Rafer Alston’s three-pointer with 0.5 seconds left in overtime lifted Miami over Dallas, extending the Heat’s winning streak to seven games. Marquis Daniels scored a career-high 31 points for the Mavericks, who lost their third in a row. Dirk Nowitzki added 25 points before fouling out with 1:53 left in the fourth quarter.

Bucks 115, Bulls 105

Chicago — Milwaukee remained in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and overcame an injury to Keith Van Horn to defeat Chicago behind 23 points from Joe Smith and 22 points from Desmond Mason.

Grizzlies 109, Rockets 86

Memphis, Tenn. — Stromile Swift had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Memphis rode a big early lead to a victory over Houston. Jason Williams added 18 points as Memphis won its fourth straight game and 12th in its last 14. Five Grizzlies finished in double figures in a game so lopsided that most of the starters from both teams were on the bench for the final 10 minutes.

Suns 99, Hornets 94

New Orleans — Amare Stoudemire scored 25 points while Shawn Marion had 20 points and 10 rebounds as Phoenix defeated New Orleans. The Hornetes lost their second straight game without leading scorer Baron Davis, who is expected to be out up to two weeks.

Pacers 107, Magic 92

Orlando, Fla. — Ron Artest scored a career-high 35 points, leading Indiana over Orlando. Indiana’s Al Harrington had 19 points. Jeff Foster added 16 points and 11 rebounds.