The Orlando Magic also moved within a half-game tonight with a victory over Portland.
They hold a 3-1 lead in the four-of-seven-game series against the Hornets and can move to the next round with a victory at home Wednesday night.
Columbia moved into second place with a 3-0 victory over Yale.
The Kings moved to 5-3 on Friday night with a victory over Charlotte.
Georgetown moved into first place in the Big East Conference tonight with a 97-81 victory over Pittsburgh.
But Baltimore moved up to 6-6 with a 27-23 victory over the hapless Bengals.
They accomplished that mission early in the game as the Redmen moved to 3-0 with a 66-49 victory.
Ghana, the defending champion, moved into the semifinals with a 1-0 victory over Australia.
One of the usual contenders, Nebraska, moved up to No. 3 with a 24-3 victory over California.
The Nets, who could have moved a game and a half out of first place with a victory, instead trail the Celtics by three.