NBA Roundup: Cat Scratch Fever

Notes on Tuesday's games in the National Basketball Association ...

• Attack Of The Housecat-Sized Wild Felines. We were beginning to think that Cleveland would be a factor in the playoffs, what with an eight-game winning streak in which they could seemingly do no wrong. And it still could end up that way; Mavs vs. Cavs for the NBA title, anyone? But the Charlotte Bobcats, of all teams, and Adam Morrison, of all people, broke the winning streak on Tuesday, 108-100 in OT. Gerald Wallace had 27 points and 11 rebounds and Morrison made the go-ahead 3-pointer in overtime for the Bobs. Cleveland blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. LeBron James had 37 points for Cleveland; 30 in the second half. Morrison did not cry.

• Just Clinch, Baby. The Phoenix Suns are Pacific Division champions again; this is their third straight. Raja Bell scored 16 points in the third quarter (22 for the game) as the Suns pulled away in a 108-90 win over Minnesota, clinching the division. Steve Nash had 18 points -and 11 assists.

• They Can Drive 55. Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard each scored 24 points, as the Mavericks beat the Knicks 92-77, Dallas' 55th win of the season against 11 losses.

• Losing Its Grip On The Golden Ticket. So there they are, the Golden State Warriors, perched precariously one-half game above the Clippers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. That's because they lost to the Jazz, 104-100, behind Carlos Boozer's 25 points and 21 rebounds. He's the first Utah player to finish with 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game since 2001.