NBA roundup: Rockets secure No. 5 seed

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets did their part on Wednesday night and earned a first-round playoff rematch with the Utah Jazz.

Luis Scola had 22 points and 10 rebounds, and the Rockets locked up the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference playoffs with a 93-75 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Rockets will play Utah in the first round for the second straight season. Just like last year, the Jazz earned the No. 4 seed by winning their division, but Houston has the home-court edge because of a better overall record.

"We were counted out multiple times this year and no one even gave us a chance, not even close, of clinching home court," said forward Shane Battier. "It really is an amazing regular-season accomplishment and I'm very proud."

The extra home game didn't do the Rockets any good last season — Utah won the series in seven games.

But this Houston team is different, starting with new coach Rick Adelman, rookies like Scola, Carl Landry and Aaron Brooks, and the consistent play of reserves like Bobby Jackson.

The backup point guard added 15 points and five rebounds against the Clippers while the Rockets improved to 22-2 in their last 24 home games.

Jackson started for the second straight game in place of Rafer Alston, who strained his right hamstring against Denver on Sunday. Alston said he would likely miss Houston's first two playoff games.

By now, the Rockets are used to adversity. They played the last third of the season without injured Yao Ming, without Tracy McGrady for 16 games, and still reached the team's highest win total since the 1996-97 season.

PACERS 132, KNICKS 123: At Indianapolis, Mike Dunleavy tied a career high with 36 points, and the Pacers beat New York — sending the Knicks to a franchise record-tying 59th loss in what might have been Isiah Thomas' last game as coach. New Knicks president Donnie Walsh hasn't promised Thomas he'll keep his job, and Thomas gave Walsh another reason to fire him. The Knicks allowed their highest point total of the season.

HEAT 113, HAWKS 99: At Miami, Jason Williams scored 17 points, Mark Blount and Daequan Cook each added 16 and Miami ended a disappointing season that may be the last with Pat Riley on the bench. The Heat had seven players in double figures, including Ricky Davis (15 points, nine assists, seven rebounds), Earl Barron (13), Stephane Lasme (12) and Chris Quinn (11).