Robinson Helps Suns End Celtics’ Road Run

Clifford Robinson made six free throws in the final 1:46, helping the Suns end Boston’s attempts to rally in a 110-106 victory over the Celtics Monday night at Phoenix.

Robinson finished with 22 points and nine rebounds as the Suns moved within one game of clinching a playoff berth with their fourth consecutive victory.

Jason Kidd had 16 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists, and Shawn Marion scored 18 points. Rodney Rogers added 17 points and Penny Hardaway 13 in the balanced Sun attack.

Paul Pierce scored 27 points for the Celtics, stymied in their attempt to win three road games in a row for the first time since December 1995. Antoine Walker had 23 points and 14 rebounds for Boston.

Cleveland 98, Houston 85--The Rockets, playing their fourth road game in five nights, lost for the eighth time in a row.

The Cavaliers ended an six-game losing streak as Bob Sura scored seven of his 16 points during a run early in the fourth quarter.

“We’re a road-weary team, and that’s about as ugly as it gets,” Houston Coach Rudy Tomjanovich said.

Cleveland’s Randy Wittman said, “It wasn’t the prettiest of basketball games, but we’ll take it.”

Before the game, the Cavaliers activated Cedric Henderson and placed Ryan Stack on the injured list. Henderson, who missed 19 games because of a torn thumb ligament, scored six points in 13 minutes.

Orlando 88, Chicago 86--Ron Mercer made the go-ahead jumper with 48 seconds left in overtime as the Magic won at Chicago to end a three-game losing streak.

The Bulls had a chance tie in the closing seconds, but Chris Carr’s short shot from the right side was off and Elton Brand missed a short follow as Chicago lost for the 15th time in 16 games.

Philadelphia 102, Charlotte 96--Allen Iverson scored 25 points and the 76ers withstood two second-half rallies to win at Charlotte.

The Hornets’ Derrick Coleman was ejected with 6:41 left in the second quarter for a flagrant foul against Toni Kukoc.

“One of the very important things for us coming down the stretch into the playoffs is that we respond to the physical play,” Kukoc said. “I don’t think he did it on purpose. He just got a little frustrated, and I guess my eye was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Kukoc sustained a small cut under his right eye as a result of the foul. After the cut was stitched in the locker room, Kukoc returned late in the second quarter and later drew a technical foul himself.

Around the League

Orlando Coach Doc Rivers was fined $7,500 by the NBA for criticizing the officials after Friday’s Magic-Raptor game at Toronto. The Magic shot 13 free throws, the same number shot by the Raptors’ Vince Carter. Rivers said the referees “may as well have been wearing Raptor jerseys and cheering for Vince Carter.” . . . Phoenix placed Rex Chapman (appendectomy) on the injured list and activated guard Todd Day as his replacement. . . . The Golden State Warriors requested waivers on guard Sam Mack, shooting 30.3% from the field this season.