Baseline to Baseline recaps: Knicks, Heat win, can start thinking showdown

What you missed while figuring out why ice cream causes brain freeze…

Lakers 114, Thunder 106 (2OT): There was a game, too, not just an elbow. The Lakers got a win that can give them some confidence for a potential playoff meeting between these teams — but can they replicate this recipe for success? Our own Matt Moore discussed this game.

Knicks 113, Hawks 112: Very tight game, neither team had a double digit lead all game. Carmelo Anthony had 39 and took all the shots down the stretch. Amare Stoudemire was back and looking like his old self — 22 points, 12 rebounds and a key late block on Marvin Williams to save the game (actually, Williams did that himself trying to dunk a ball and not getting it out of his hands before the buzzer sounded).

The win locks the Hawks into a first round battle with the Celtics. Knicks have a 95 percent chance of having the Heat in the first round.

Heat 97, Rockets 88: Houston had a lead in the fourth quarter, but Miami owned the last seven minutes of this game, sparked by LeBron James dropping 11 of his 32 in the fourth quarter. The loss eliminated the already very slim chance the Rockets had of making the playoffs. The Heat can start dreaming of the Knicks, that’s not set in stone but it’s getting there.

Nuggets 101, Magic 74: Jameer Nelson played only two minutes in this one due to calf bruise he suffered. Because the Magic need another injury. This game was actually close until midway through the third quarter when the subs came in and Denver went on a 10-2 run, then the Nuggets blew the game open in the fourth. JaVale McGee had a good game for Denver with 17 points — if you throw him lobs he can dunk them.

The loss and other games this weekend has locked Orlando into a series against Indiana in the first round.

Spurs 114, Cavaliers 98: No Tim Duncan… but did you really think that would matter? Manu Ginobili dropped 20, DeJuan Blair 15 filling in as the guy setting the picks for Tony Parker. With the win the Spurs need just one more win in their last three games to secure the top seed in the West (or one more Thunder loss).

Clippers 107, Hornets 98: New Orleans took control of this game in the third quarter, them came the Chris Paul and Randy Foye show — CP3 had 13 points in the fourth, Foye 11 (he was knocking down outside shots all night). Chris Paul’s playmaking is something to behold, but will it be enough against a good team (like Memphis) in the playoffs?

Pistons 76, Raptors 73: With three seconds left and a final shot, the Raptors ran a simple set they have used a few times this year — Linas Kleiza inbounds the ball, runs off a pick near him, gets the ball back and… there isn’t a Piston within 10 feet of him. No switch off the pick, nothing. He has so much time he has a split second to gather himself and in doing so throws off his rhythm and misses. Pistons win. Brandon Knight and Ben Gordon each had 19 for the Pistons.

Kings 114, Bobcats 88: The Bobcats are so bad they are getting blown out be weak teams. DeMarcus Cousins had 29 and 10 for the Kings.

Warriors 93, Timberwolves 88: Golden State snaps its losing streak, thanks to a key three with a minute to go from Brandon Rush and a good game from Charles Jenkins (24 points, nine dimes).