USA - No Bull - Chicago clinch play-off berth with Hinrich free throws

NEW YORK (NBA) - A pair of free throws by Kirk Hinrich with just 2.8 seconds left lifted Chicago past the Detroit Pistons 83-81 on Thursday and clinched for a third consecutive year a place in the play-offs for the Bulls.

Detroit's Tayshaun Prince tied the contest with 9.8 seconds but Argentina's Carlos Delfino bailed out the Bulls, fouling Hinrich as the Team USA guard attempted a shot from the arc.

Hinrich missed the first, but made the next two to put the Bulls in front, and after a timeout, Prince was off target with a jump shot.

If the season were over today, the Bulls (43-30) would enter the post-season as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference but they have nine games to improve that position while the Pistons (45-26) have the best record.

Detroit, who led by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter, got a game-high 26 points from Prince while Ben Gordon poured in 25 to lead the Bulls.

Hot-shooting Richardson leads Warriors past Suns

Jason Richardson buried eight three-pointers and finished with a season-high 36 points as the Golden State Warriors edged the Phoenix Suns 124-119.

The result has left the Warriors just a game behind the Los Angeles Clippers, who occupy the eighth and final play-off position in the Western Conference.

Baron Davis was also outstanding for Golden State with 21 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds.

Phoenix (53-18) are second in the Western Conference - just two games ahead of third[-placed San Antonio (51-20).

Blazers fall to Memphis

The visiting Memphis Grizzlies dealt Portland's (29-43) faint play-off hopes a blow with a 96-92 triumph - a third straight defeat for the Trail Blazers.

Spanish international Pau Gasol had 17 points - he was five of 14 from the floor - and eight rebounds.

Jeff Taylor
FIBA