Phoenix 99, Orlando 111: Shaq (19-11) and Dwight Howard (21-8) battled to a draw, and the Magic prevailed. Orlando was aided by a crucial Shaq tech with the Suns trailing by two with over three minutes left. The Magic then scored eight in a row to put the game out of reach.  Rashard Lewis had 29 points. (Video’s long, but worth it.)

Denver 95, Detroit 100: Chauncey Billups carried the Nuggets in his return to the Palace (34 points), but with no Carmelo Anthony as his wingman (bizarre suspension), Denver lost again on the road. The Pistons have won three in a row. The secret to their success – no Iverson! With AI sidelined, they’re 3-0 after an eight-game skid.

Toronto 97, Houston 107: The surging, T-Mac-less Rockets slid into the 3rd playoff spot in the West on the strength of 22 points from Purdue’s Carl Landry and 20-16 from Luis Scola. RuPaul and Bargnani each scored 25 for the losers

New Jersey 99, Milwaukee 95: Jarvis Hayes hit a gi-normous triple with 18 seconds left to propel the Nets to a crucial road win. Despite an 8-for-34 night from VC and Devin Harris (combined), New Jersey drew within 1/2 a game of the final playoff spot thanks to three reserves scoring in double figures. Richard Jefferson was 4-for-18 against his old mates; Charlie Villanueva tallied 24-15. How is Milwaukee even there? Its best two players – Bogut and Redd – have missed significant time, and yet the Bucks are still in the mix? One of the great mysteries this season.

Memphis 89, LA Lakers 99: Marc Gasol (17-14) outplayed big brother Pau (13-8), but it didn’t matter. Kobe had 31, and it’s a good thing, too – Ariza and Odom combined to shoot 1-for-14.