NBA: Golden State 116, New Jersey 112

OAKLAND, Calif., March 12 (UPI) -- Jamal Crawford led a fourth-quarter surge Wednesday that rallied Golden State to a 116-112 win over New Jersey.

The Nets, beginning a five-game road trip, missed a chance to move into the eighth and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference. Six teams are within 1 1/2 games of each other in the fight for that last post-season berth.

New Jersey led by 12 points late in the third period, but the Warriors tied it early in the third and slowly pulled away.

Crawford scored seven points early in the fourth and then, after New Jersey threatened to catch up in the final minute, hit four free throws over the final 23 seconds to protect the lead.

Stephen Jackson led the Warriors with 29 points, Monta Ellis had 19, Corey Maggette 18 and Crawford 17. Golden State snapped a three-game losing streak.

New Jersey was paced by Devin Harris with 29 points, but he was called for a flagrant foul in the fourth period when he shoved an elbow into Maggette's chest.