MIAMI — The team built to win a championship is slumping as the postseason looms. And the club holding barely a sliver of playoff hope couldn't be performing any better.

Jameer Nelson scored 26 points and the Orlando Magic won for the eighth time in nine games, beating Miami, 93-84, last night and handing the Heat their first two-game home losing streak of the season.

The Magic closed within three games of Chicago and Philadelphia for the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot.

Dwight Howard had 16 points and Hedo Turkoglu added 14 for Orlando, which has beaten the East's top two teams in consecutive outings; the Magic, who still have a mathematical postseason shot, nipped Detroit on Friday night.

The Heat got 27 points from Dwyane Wade and 16 points and nine rebounds from Shaquille O'Neal.

"We're not talking about the playoffs," Magic guard DeShawn Stevenson said. "We're talking about each game. We go into every game worried about the team we're playing."

Meanwhile, it seems as if Heat coach Pat Riley goes into every game these days worried about his club, which has dropped six of its last 11 games.

Riley blamed himself for the loss, saying he made the wrong substitutions, called the wrong plays, didn't inspire his team — and, perhaps most significantly, said he started the wrong lineup, strongly indicating that changes could be coming for the Heat's final five regular-season contests.

"It's almost a crossroads for me right now, to find the competitive warriors and the competitiveness of those guys will transcend the talent and reputation," Riley said. "I'm going to try to find the guys who are going to try to play the hardest and best in support of our two great players."

SuperSonics 116, Suns 114: Ray Allen scored 23 of his 30 points in the second half, and his 3-pointer with 24 seconds left lifted host Seattle to its season-high fourth straight victory. Allen was magnificent in the final minutes as Seattle rallied from an eight-point deficit. He scored 12 of Seattle's final 15 points.

Pistons 98, Pacers 73: Tayshaun Prince scored all of his 17 points in the second half to lead six double-digit scorers for host Detroit. Detroit (62-15) is a victory away from matching its franchise record for wins and barring a late slide, will likely finish with the NBA's best record.

Spurs 83, Grizzlies 81: Pau Gasol missed a potential game-tying layup over Tim Duncan with 5.9 seconds remaining, and host San Antonio beat Memphis. Duncan had 23 points and 12 rebounds to help the Spurs stay a game ahead of Dallas for the top spot in the Western Conference. San Antonio had lost two straight games — both at home.

Kings 86, Rockets 77: Brad Miller had 30 points and 11 rebounds, and host Sacramento beat Houston. The Kings, who have won three straight and six of seven, reduced their magic number to clinch a playoff berth to three. They have four games remaining, three of them at home.

Timberwolves 84, Hawks 83: Trenton Hassell made a short jumper with 1.9 seconds to play for host Minnesota, which was playing without Kevin Garnett and Ricky Davis. Garnett sat out with tendinitis in his right knee, snapping his NBA-leading streak of 351 games started, and Davis was out with a sore groin.

Bobcats 94, Raptors 88: Brevin Knight had 19 points and 10 assists, and Charlotte snapped a seven-game road losing streak. Jumaine Jones had 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Gerald Wallace had 11 points and 14 boards as the Bobcats had four players with double-doubles.

Nets 95, Bucks 83: Vince Carter scored 25 points and Jason Kidd had a triple-double to lead visiting New Jersey. Kidd had 11 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for the 75th triple-double of his career and eighth of the season.

Knicks 101, Celtics 86: Jamal Crawford scored 31 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead visiting New York over Boston. Nate Robinson finished with 12 points for the Knicks, who outscored the Celtics 31-10 in the fourth quarter.

NUGGETS

ROOKIE GUARD HODGE RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL

Nuggets rookie Julius Hodge was released from a hospital yesterday, a day after shots fired into his car on a highway wounded his legs.

Hodge released a statement through the team expressing thanks, especially to a woman who stopped on the highway and drove Hodge and his passenger to the hospital.

"I want to say a special thank you to the Good Samaritan who showed the true character of Colorado people," Hodge said. "I would love the opportunity to meet with her and express my gratitude personally."

Authorities have said they want to speak to the Good Samaritan. Adams County sheriff's officials said yesterday that they received a phone call from someone claiming to be the Good Samaritan.

Sheriff's deputies said the 22-year-old was shot while driving on Interstate 76 in north Denver at about 2 a.m. Saturday. Investigators said they had no suspects and did not have a motive.