PHILADELPHIA (AP) John Salmons had a career-high 22 points in leading Philadelphia to a 86-71 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night, 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.

Cleveland lost its fourth in a row, while Philadelphia pulled within one game of the Cavaliers, who began the night with a half-game lead over Boston for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

LeBron James had 16 points on 5-for-13 shooting to lead Cleveland, which had won seven straight prior to its slide.

Pacers 107, Magic 92

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Ron Artest scored a career-high 35 points as All-Stars Jermaine O'Neal and Tracy McGrady sat out.

O'Neal, Indiana's leading scorer and rebounder, was sidelined by a bruised right knee. Al Harrington had 19 points in his place. Jeff Foster added 16 points and 11 rebounds in the Pacers' third straight victory.

The Magic, losers of seven straight, played without the NBA's leading scorer, McGrady, who was sidelined by tendinitis in his left knee. His condition is day-to-day.

With more shots available, Tyronn Lue set a career-high with 32 points and Juwan Howard added 24. Lue's 13 field goals and 19 attempts also were career bests. But Orlando couldn't overcome 21 turnovers and a defense that allowed 25 shots from point-blank range.

Knicks 108, Raptors 101

NEW YORK (AP) With three key players out with injuries, Stephon Marbury had 38 points and nine assists to lead Knicks past Toronto.

Tim Thomas and Penny Hardaway did not play because of groin injuries, and Allan Houston (bruised quadriceps) played just eight minutes. Reserves DerMarr Johnson and Michael Sweetney made big contributions, with Johnson producing 15 points and seven rebounds.

Sweetney, a rookie forward, hit a pair of free throws, stole a loose ball from Vince Carter and dunked to put New York up 80-79 in the fourth quarter, and the Knicks never trailed again. Sweetney finished with eight points and nine rebounds.

The win clinched the season series for the Knicks, 3-1. New York is in seventh place in the tightly-packed Eastern Conference playoff race.

Carter scored 40 for Toronto.

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